ballast

¹bal·last

noun \ˈba-ləst\

Definition of BALLAST

1

: a heavy substance placed in such a way as to improve stability and control (as of the draft of a ship or the buoyancy of a balloon or submarine)

2

: something that gives stability (as in character or conduct)

3

: gravel or broken stone laid in a railroad bed or used in making concrete

4

: a device used to provide the starting voltage or to stabilize the current in a circuit (as of a fluorescent lamp)

— in ballast

of a ship : having only ballast for a load

Origin of BALLAST

probably from Low German, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Dan & Swedish barlast ballast; perhaps akin to Old English bær bare & to Old English hlæst load, hladan to load — more at lade

First Known Use: 1530

Other Civil Engineering Terms

asphalt, barrage, cantilever, infrastructure, sluice

Rhymes with BALLAST

gallused

²ballast

transitive verb

Definition of BALLAST

1

: to steady or equip with or as if with ballast

2

: to fill in (as a railroad bed) with ballast

First Known Use of BALLAST

1538