ballast

1 of 2

noun

bal·​last ˈba-ləst 

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)

see also:

in ballast

ballast

2 of 2

verb

ballasted; ballasting; ballasts

transitive verb

1

: to steady or equip with or as if with ballast

They ballast the canoe with large rocks.

2

: to fill in (something, such as a railroad bed) with ballast (see ballast entry 1 sense 3)

Examples of ballast in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

News outlets want access restored Previous judicial rulings appear to offer ballast to CNN, MSNOW and Politico's legal argument. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026

No 'immediate' return to 60/40 In addition to income, bonds may also provide ballast in broader portfolio. — Michelle Fox, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

Verb

That's the scenario in which traditional ballast stops ballasting. — Carrie McCabe, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

For those sweating at the thought of a French Open this year without the Jannik Sinner-Carlos Alcaraz rivalry to ballast the men’s draw, the Madrid Open provided a delightful counterargument. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 4 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Verb

derivative of ballast entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ballast

• in ballast

Rhymes for ballast

• calloused
• callused
• dialysed
• medallist
• paralysed

Kids Definition

ballast

1 of 2 noun

bal·​last ˈbal-əst 

1

: heavy material used especially 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

ballast

2 of 2 verb

: to provide with ballast