ballast
noun/ˈbæləst/
Frequency rank: #11,020 most common English word
Meaning
heavy material placed in a ship or vehicle to improve stability and balance.
Example sentence
The ship's crew added heavy stones as ballast to keep the vessel stable during the storm.
Synonyms & related words
Practice this word in the quiz
More words in ranks 11,001–11,100
- astronomerA person who studies the stars, planets, and space.
- attritiona gradual reduction in number or strength due to continuous pressure or natural causes such as retirement or resignation.
- auntyan affectionate or informal term for one's aunt.
- autopilota system that automatically controls a vehicle without human input; also used figuratively for acting without conscious thought.
- baggyHanging loosely; too large or wide in fit.
- biotechshort for biotechnology; the use of living systems and organisms to develop products, especially in medicine and agriculture.
- blackjackA card game in which players try to get cards totaling 21 without going over, typically played against a dealer.
- bloodstreamthe blood circulating through the body's blood vessels.
- bluegrassA style of American country music characterized by fast tempos, improvisation, and instruments such as banjo, fiddle, and guitar.
- budgetaryrelating to a budget or the management of financial resources.