noun.
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.
noun.
Any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it steadiness.
noun.
Gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid.
noun.
The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete.
noun.
Fig.: That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security.
noun.
a steam engine used in excavating and for digging and raising stones and gravel for ballast.
noun.
a ship carrying only ballast.
transitive verb.
To steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold.
transitive verb.
To fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone, etc., in order to make it firm and solid.
transitive verb.
To keep steady; to steady, morally.