Associations to the word «Ballast»

BALLAST, noun. (nautical) Heavy material that is placed in the hold of a ship (or in the gondola of a balloon), to provide stability.

BALLAST, noun. (figuratively) Anything that steadies emotion or the mind.

BALLAST, noun. Coarse gravel or similar material laid to form a bed for roads or railroads, or in making concrete.

BALLAST, noun. (construction) A material, such as aggregate or precast concrete pavers, which employs its mass and the force of gravity to hold single-ply roof membranes in place.

BALLAST, noun. (countable) (electronics) device used for stabilizing current in an electric circuit (e.g.in a tube lamp supply circuit)

BALLAST, noun. (figurative) That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security.

BALLAST, verb. To stabilize or load a ship with ballast.

BALLAST, verb. To lay ballast on the bed of a railroad track.

BALLAST RESISTOR, noun. An electrical resistor whose resistance varies with the current passing through it, and thus tends to maintain a constant current

BALLAST RESISTORS, noun. Plural of ballast resistor

BALLAST TANK, noun. One of several external or internal tanks fitted in submarines; when filled with seawater they allow the boat to submerge; when emptied using compressed air buoyancy is restored and the vessel rises towards the surface. Auxiliary ballast tanks within the pressure hull allow the submarine to be trimmed.

BALLAST TANKS, noun. Plural of ballast tank

BALLAST, noun. Any heavy material used to stabilize a ship or airship.

BALLAST, noun. Coarse gravel laid to form a bed for streets and railroads.

BALLAST, noun. An attribute that tends to give stability in character and morals; something that steadies the mind or feelings.

BALLAST, noun. A resistor inserted into a circuit to compensate for changes (as those arising from temperature fluctuations).

BALLAST, noun. An electrical device for starting and regulating fluorescent and discharge lamps.

BALLAST, verb. Make steady with a ballast.