Ballast /(băl"last)/

Bal·last

Ballast

n.
  1. 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. (Naut.)
  2. Any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it steadiness.
  3. Gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid.
  4. The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete.
  5. Fig.: That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security.
    It [piety] is the right ballast of prosperity.

Phrases & Compounds
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.

Ballast

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Ballasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Ballasting

  1. To steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold.
  2. To fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone, etc., in order to make it firm and solid.
  3. To keep steady; to steady, morally.
    'T is charity must ballast the heart.