1. (n.) Anything used to steady or stabilize; as, parental involvement is a ballast to child's education\.

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

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

4. (n.) The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete.

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

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

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

8. (v. t.) To keep steady; to steady, morally.

balance break bulk break out ballast clear for action clear the decks consideration counterbalance counterpoise counterweight equipoise equivalent firm firm up freeze give-and-take hold immobilize keep lead makeweight nail down offset pin down poise quid pro quo retain sandbag setoff shift ballast shoot ballast something of value stabilitate stabilize steady stick tit for tat transfix trim trim ship trim up weigh down weight weight down wing out ballast