heavy material, such as gravel, sand, or iron, placed in the bilge of a ship to ensure its stability, something that gives stability or substance, especially in a difficult situation

throw off the ballast, provide ballast for something, ballast of tradition

Formal and Informal Expressions of ballast

In different contexts, you can replace 'ballast' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'stabilizer, counterbalance' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'weight, support' is a commonplace synonym.

ballast: Explore its Definition & Usage

ballast Definition

1heavy material, such as gravel, sand, or iron, placed in the bilge of a ship to ensure its stability
2something that gives stability or substance, especially in a difficult situation

Using ballast: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "ballast" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The ship's ballast was made up of large stones.
Example
The new evidence provided some much-needed ballast to the prosecution's case.
Example
The company's strong financial position provided ballast during the economic downturn.

ballast Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for ballast

Phrases with ballast

throw off the ballast
to get rid of something that is weighing you down or holding you back
Example
She decided to throw off the ballast of her old job and start her own business.
provide ballast for something
to give stability or substance to something
Example
The research provides ballast for the theory that climate change is caused by human activity.
ballast of tradition
the established customs and practices that provide stability and continuity in a society
Example
The ballast of tradition helped the country weather the storm of political upheaval.

Origins of ballast

from Old Swedish 'barlast', meaning 'bare load'

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Summary: ballast in Brief

The term 'ballast' [ˈbæləst] refers to heavy material used to stabilize a ship or anything that provides stability or substance. Examples include 'The ship's ballast was made up of large stones.' and 'The new evidence provided some much-needed ballast to the prosecution's case.' Phrases like 'throw off the ballast' and 'provide ballast for something' denote getting rid of something that weighs you down and giving stability or substance to something, respectively.