First Known Use: 1530
Dictionary
1ballast
noun bal·last \ˈba-ləst\
: 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
Full 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
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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
Other Civil Engineering Terms
Rhymes with BALLAST
2ballast
verb
Definition of BALLAST
transitive verb
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
BALLAST[1] Defined for Kids
ballast
noun bal·last \ˈba-ləst\
Definition of BALLAST for Kids
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
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