Definition of ballast
1 : a heavy substance (such as rocks or water) 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) tossed several tons of ballast overboard
2 : something that gives stability (as in character or conduct) She provided the ballast we needed during stressful times.
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
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Origin and Etymology of ballast
probably from Low German, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish & Swedish barlast ballast; perhaps akin to Old English bær bare & to Old English hlæst load, hladan to load — more at lade
First Known Use: 15th century
Other Civil Engineering Terms
Origin and Etymology of ballast
see 1ballast
First Known Use: 1538
BALLAST Defined for English Language Learners
ballast
playDefinition of ballast for English Language Learners
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: heavy material (such as rocks or water) that is put on a ship to make it steady or on a balloon to control its height in the air
BALLAST Defined for Kids
ballast
playDefinition of ballast for Students
1 : heavy material used to make a ship steady or to control the rising of a balloon
2 : gravel or broken stone laid in a foundation for a railroad or used in making concrete
Learn More about ballast
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See words that rhyme with ballast Spanish Central: Translation of ballast Nglish: Translation of ballast for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ballast for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ballast
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