Ballast (Noun)
Meaning 1
An attribute that tends to give stability in character and morals; something that steadies the mind or feelings.
Classification
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.
Examples
- Her strong sense of values served as a ballast during the tumultuous years of her life.
- The community's support was a much-needed ballast for the family as they navigated the challenges of their loved one's illness.
- Throughout her career, she had found that her passion for teaching was a steady ballast that kept her grounded despite the chaos of the school environment.
- The ballast of his faith helped him stay focused and composed during the difficult times.
- His close-knit family was a ballast that kept him from getting too caught up in the stresses of his high-pressure job.
Meaning 2
A resistor inserted into a circuit to compensate for changes (as those arising from temperature fluctuations).
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
An electrical device for starting and regulating fluorescent and discharge lamps.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The fluorescent light fixture contained a ballast to regulate the flow of electrical current to the lamp.
- A faulty ballast was the likely cause of the flickering fluorescent light in the office.
- The electrician replaced the old magnetic ballast with a new electronic ballast to improve the lamp's efficiency.
- The ballast in the high-intensity discharge lamp was designed to handle the high voltage required to start the arc.
- The manufacturer recommended replacing the ballast every five years to ensure optimal performance of the fluorescent lighting system.
Synonyms
Meaning 4
Coarse gravel laid to form a bed for streets and railroads.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- The city used crushed stone as ballast to stabilize the roadbed and prevent settling.
- Railroad engineers carefully selected the ballast to ensure it could support the weight of the trains.
- The construction crew laid down a thick layer of ballast to provide drainage and a solid base for the new highway.
- After years of use, the ballast beneath the tracks had become compacted and needed to be replaced.
- The ballast used for the railroad bed was a mixture of gravel and crushed rock that helped to distribute the weight evenly.
Hypernyms
Meaning 5
Any heavy material used to stabilize a ship or airship.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The cargo ship was loaded with ballast to maintain its stability in the rough seas.
- The airship's ballast tanks were filled with sand to keep it afloat during the storm.
- To maintain equilibrium, the submarine released some of its ballast and rose to the surface.
- The ship's crew loaded the ballast compartments with rocks to stabilize the vessel.
- The blimp's ballast system consisted of water tanks that could be filled or emptied as needed.