Meaning of the word ballast in English

What does ballast mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

ballast

US /ˈbæl.əst/
UK /ˈbæl.əst/

Noun

1.

heavy matter such as sand, stone, or water that is used at the bottom of a ship or a hot-air balloon to make it heavier, or the small stones on which railroads and roads are made:

Example:
The weed may have been accidentally imported in soil used as ship ballast.
Learn This Word at Lingoland