a calm and confident manner with control of your feelings or behavior His performance was full of maturity and poise. She seemed embarrassed for a moment but quickly recovered her poise.

to be or hold something steady in a particular position, especially above something else + adv./prep. The hawk poised in mid-air ready to swoop. poise something/yourself to do something He was poising himself to launch a final attack. poise something/yourself + adv./prep. She poised the javelin in her hand before the throw.

She kept her poise even when under attack. He behaved with poise and dignity. 2 : a graceful way of walking, moving, standing, etc. Strength and flexibility are important for good poise and posture. a dancer of great poise and grace