ballast

1 of 2

noun

bal·​last ˈba-ləst How to pronounce ballast (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Advertisement The species has colonized new regions when transported on ships’ hulls or in ballast water that is drained in ports. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024 There needs to be tougher ballast water regulations to safeguard the regions’ fisheries, McClinchey said. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2024
Verb
Alcaraz broke the Auger-Aliassime serve from 40-15 behind on multiple occasions, with a sprinkling of winners (just eight in the first set) ballasted by the mental pressure Auger-Aliassime felt, feeding on scraps of opportunity and over-pressing on easy shots. James Hansen, The Athletic, 2 Aug. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for ballast 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ballast was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near ballast

Cite this Entry

“Ballast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballast. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

ballast

1 of 2 noun
bal·​last ˈbal-əst How to pronounce ballast (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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