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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Ballast

Băl'last, n.

noun

n. [Either from A-S. bat, boat, and hlæst, load, O. H. Ger. hlast, last, O. Fries. hlest, Icel. hlass, D., Ger., & Dan. last; or of Celt. origin, lit. sand-load, the first part of the word having been taken from Fr. beal, sand. Cf. W. balasarn, ballast.]

  1. (Naut.) Any heavy substance, as stone, iron, &c., placed in the hold of a vessel, to sink it in the water to such a depth as to enable it to carry sufficient sail without oversetting.
  2. Gravel, broken stone, &c., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid.

Băl'last, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. BALLASTED; p. pr. & vb. n. BALLASTING.]

Sense 1. To steady, as a vessel, by placing heavy substances in the hold.

Sense 2. To fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone, &c., in order to make it firm and solid.