Definitions of ballast [ˈbæl əst]

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Definition of 'ballast'

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

1. (n.) ballast
a heavy material carried on a vessel to control draft and stability or a balloon to control altitude.

2. ballast
gravel or broken stone placed under the ties of a railroad.

3. ballast
a device that maintains the current in an electric circuit at a constant value and may also provide the starting voltage, as in a fluorescent lamp.

4. (v.t.) ballast
to furnish with ballast.

Etymology: (1520–30; < MLG, perh. ult. < Scand; cf. early Dan and Sw barlast=barbare¹+last load)

Definition of 'ballast'

Princeton's WordNet

1. (noun) ballast
any heavy material used to stabilize a ship or airship

2. (noun) ballast
coarse gravel laid to form a bed for streets and railroads

3. (noun) ballast
an attribute that tends to give stability in character and morals; something that steadies the mind or feelings

4. (noun) ballast resistor, ballast, barretter
a resistor inserted into a circuit to compensate for changes (as those arising from temperature fluctuations)

5. (verb) ballast, light ballast
an electrical device for starting and regulating fluorescent and discharge lamps

6. (verb) ballast
make steady with a ballast

Definition of 'ballast'

Webster Dictionary

1. (adj) ballast
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

2. (adj) ballast
any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it steadiness

3. (adj) ballast
gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid

4. (adj) ballast
the larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete

5. (adj) ballast
fig.: That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security

6. (verb) ballast
to steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold

7. (verb) ballast
to fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone, etc., in order to make it firm and solid

8. (verb) ballast
to keep steady; to steady, morally

'ballast' - Nearby Entries
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