Noun
any heavy material used to stabilize a ship or airship

Noun
an electrical device for starting and regulating fluorescent and discharge lamps

Noun
a resistor inserted into a circuit to compensate for changes (as those arising from temperature fluctuations)

Noun
an attribute that tends to give stability in character and morals; something that steadies the mind or feelings

Noun
coarse gravel laid to form a bed for streets and railroads

Verb
make steady with a ballast

a.
Any heavy substance, as stone, iron, etc., put into the hold to sink a vessel in the water to such a depth as to prevent capsizing.

a.
Any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it steadiness.

a.
Gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid.

a.
The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete.

a.
Fig.: That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security.

v. t.
To steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold.

v. t.
To fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone, etc., in order to make it firm and solid.

v. t.
To keep steady; to steady, morally.

Ballast

It [piety] is the right ballast of prosperity.

Ballast

'T is charity must ballast the heart.

Any heavy substance, as stone, iron, etc., put into the hold to sink a vessel in the water to such a depth as to prevent capsizing.

To steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold.