Noun

(en-noun)

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

(figuratively) Anything that steadies emotion or the mind.

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

(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.

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

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

* Barrow

It [piety] is the right ballast of prosperity.

File:Hsin-chu-1.jpg, Ballast provides a supporting bed for rail tracks File:Magnetic Ballasts 1.jpg, Several typical styles of magnetic ballasts for fluorescent lamps

Noun

(label) A powdered substance that develops strong adhesive properties when mixed with water.

* , chapter=22

, title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=In the autumn there was a row at some cement works about the unskilled labour men. A union had just been started for them and all but a few joined. One of these blacklegs was laid for by a picket and knocked out of time.}}

(uncountable) The paste-like substance resulting from mixing such a powder with water.

(label) Any material with strong adhesive properties.

(label) Bond of union; that which unites firmly, as persons in friendship or in society.

(label) The layer of bone investing the root and neck of a tooth; cementum.