noun heavy material, such as gravel or sand, used to make a ship more stable or to control the draft of a vessel
verb to provide a ship with ballast
Ballast is used in construction to provide stability to structures such as bridges and buildings, often in the form of concrete or steel.
Ballast is used in ships to provide stability by adding weight to the ship's hull, typically in the form of rocks, sand, or water.
Ballast is used in agriculture to weigh down agricultural equipment such as tractors and plows for better traction and stability.
Ballast is used in lighting fixtures to regulate the amount of current flowing through the light bulb, often in the form of a magnetic or electronic device.
Ballast is used in railway tracks to provide stability and support for the rails, typically made of crushed stone or gravel.
In the context of writing, 'ballast' can refer to the weight or substance that gives a piece of writing depth and substance. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the elements in a story that provide stability and balance.
Psychologists may use the term 'ballast' to describe the emotional or psychological support that helps individuals cope with stress or trauma. It can also be used to refer to the strategies or techniques that help maintain mental well-being.
Architects use 'ballast' to refer to the material used to stabilize a structure, such as in the case of a ship or a building. It can also be used to describe the counterweight used to balance a structure.
In the field of marine biology, 'ballast' is used to describe the substances carried in a ship's ballast tanks to maintain stability. It can also refer to the ecological impact of ballast water on marine ecosystems.