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)

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)

Phrases

in ballast

of a ship : having only ballast for a load

Examples of ballast in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Part of the junk’s ballast had been provided by granite gravestones, brought by the migrants from China for use at the end of their lives. —Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

Before arriving in North America, the species is believed to have invaded South American rivers through ballast water—the fresh or saltwater that is held on ships. —Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024

Verb

Often home is where the old people are—grandparents and porch-rocking neighbors who stayed put their whole lives, ballast to keep everyone else’s voyage stable. —Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 14 Oct. 2024

The crews will place ballast on the bridge’s two stationary ends to prevent possible structural movement caused by floodwater. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 20 June 2024

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

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