'Ballast' definitions:

Definition of 'ballast'

From: WordNet
noun
Any heavy material used to stabilize a ship or airship
noun
Coarse gravel laid to form a bed for streets and railroads
noun
An attribute that tends to give stability in character and morals; something that steadies the mind or feelings
noun
A resistor inserted into a circuit to compensate for changes (as those arising from temperature fluctuations) [syn: ballast resistor, ballast, barretter]
noun
An electrical device for starting and regulating fluorescent and discharge lamps [syn: ballast, light ballast]
verb
Make steady with a ballast

Definition of 'Ballast'

From: GCIDE
  • Ballast \Bal"last\ (b[a^]l"last), n. [D. ballast; akin to Dan. baglast, ballast, OSw. barlast, Sw. ballast. The first part is perh. the same word as E. bare, adj.; the second is last a burden, and hence the meaning a bare, or mere, load. See Bare, a., and Last load.]
  • 1. (Naut.) Any heavy substance, as stone, iron, etc., put into the hold to sink a vessel in the water to such a depth as to prevent capsizing. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it steadiness. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Fig.: That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security. [1913 Webster]
  • It [piety] is the right ballast of prosperity. --Barrow. [1913 Webster]
  • Ballast engine, a steam engine used in excavating and for digging and raising stones and gravel for ballast.
  • Ship in ballast, a ship carrying only ballast. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Ballast'

From: GCIDE
  • Ballast \Bal"last\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ballasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Ballasting.]
  • 1. To steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone, etc., in order to make it firm and solid. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To keep steady; to steady, morally. [1913 Webster]
  • 'T is charity must ballast the heart. --Hammond. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'ballast'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Ballast'