Meaning of the word ballast in English
What does ballast mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.
ballast
US /ˈbæl.əst/
UK /ˈbæl.əst/
Noun
1.
heavy material, such as gravel, sand, or iron, placed in the hold of a ship or the gondola of a hot-air balloon, to improve stability
Example:
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The ship needed more ballast to remain stable in the rough seas.
•
Hot-air balloons use sandbags as ballast to control altitude.
2.
something that gives stability or substance
Example:
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His calm demeanor served as a much-needed emotional ballast during the crisis.
•
The traditions of the community provided a moral ballast for its members.
Verb
to give stability to (a ship) by loading it with ballast
Example:
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They had to ballast the ship before setting sail.
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The submarine was ballasted with water to submerge.