ballast

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Pronunciation

• (RP, America) IPA: /ˈbæl.əst/

Noun

ballast (uncountable)

1. (nautical) Heavy material that is placed in the hold of a ship (or in the gondola of a balloon), to provide stability.
2. (figuratively) Anything that steadies emotion or the mind.
3. Coarse gravel or similar material laid to form a bed for roads or railroads, or in making concrete.
4. (construction) A material, such as aggregate or precast concrete pavers, which employs its mass and the force of gravity to hold single-ply roof membranes in place.
5. (countable, electricity, electronics) device used for stabilizing current in an electric circuit (e.g. in a tube lamp supply circuit)
6. (figurative) That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security.

   • It [piety] is the right ballast of prosperity.

Translations

• French: lest
• German: Ballast
• Italian: zavorra
• Portuguese: lastro
• Russian: балла́ст
• Spanish: lastre

Translations

• Spanish: lastre

Translations

• French: remblai
• German: Bettung, Schotter
• Italian: massicciata
• Portuguese: balastro
• Spanish: balastro, balasto

Translations

• French: ballast
• Italian: regolatore
• Spanish: balasto, balastra (Spain), balastro (Am.)

Verb

ballast (ballasts, present participle ballasting; past and past participle ballasted)

1. To stabilize or load a ship with ballast.
2. To lay ballast on the bed of a railroad track.

Translations

• French: ballaster
• German: ballasten
• Spanish: lastrar

Translations

• German: beschottern

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