# ballast

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbæl.əst/ · frequency rank #23,471

## Definitions
1. Heavy material that is placed in the hold of a ship (or in the gondola of a balloon), to provide stability.
2. Anything that steadies emotion or the mind.
3. Coarse gravel or similar material laid to form a bed for roads or railroads, or in making concrete; track ballast.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. device used for stabilizing current in an electric circuit (e.g. in a tube lamp supply circuit)
7. That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security.

## Etymology
From Middle English bar (“bare”) + last (“load”).

## Easily confused with
- **balls** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ballast-vs-balls)
- **blast** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ballast-vs-blast)
- **ballot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ballast-vs-ballot)
- **ballet** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ballast-vs-ballet)
- **Belfast** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ballast-vs-belfast)
- **ballad** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ballad-vs-ballast)
- **Ballard** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ballard-vs-ballast)
- **Ballarat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ballarat-vs-ballast)

## Common misspellings (9)
`abllast`, `balalst`, `balast`, `ballasst`, `ballastt`, `ballats`, `ballsat`, `bballast`, `blalast`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ballast