ballast
3 synonyms for ballast, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Heavy material carried in a ship, balloon, or vehicle to provide stability.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
barretter
light ballast
ballast resistor
How to use ballast
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
ballast tank
railway ballast
Etymology
From Middle English, combining words meaning "bare" and "load."
Full origin of ballast →Frequently asked questions
What does “ballast” mean?
The word “ballast” means heavy material carried in a ship, balloon, or vehicle to provide stability. In plain terms, heavy material used to keep something steady, whether a ship, balloon, or railway bed.
How do you pronounce “ballast”?
“Ballast” is pronounced BAL-uhst (/ˈbæl.əst/ in IPA).
How do you use “ballast” in a sentence?
Here is “ballast” used in a sentence: “The old ship carried stone ballast in its hold to keep it steady at sea.”
What part of speech is “ballast”?
Depending on how it is used, “ballast” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ballast” come from?
The word “ballast” comes from Middle English. From Middle English, combining words meaning "bare" and "load.".
Is “ballast” a common word?
“Ballast” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ballast” have?
“Ballast” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: heavy material carried in a ship, balloon, or vehicle to provide stability.
