Ballest vs. Ballast — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 3, 2024
"Ballest" is a misspelling; the correct word is "ballast," which refers to a heavy substance used to provide stability.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Ballest or Ballast
How to spell Ballast?
Ballest
Incorrect Spelling
Ballast
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
"All" in "ballast" suggests it's all about weight and balance.
Remember "ballast" sounds like "balance"; both provide stability.
Think of "ballast" as having a lasting impact on stability.
Recall that “ballest” lacks the stability of the correct spelling, “ballast.”
Visualize a ship; it uses ballast to stay upright.
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How Do You Spell Ballast Correctly?
Incorrect: They decided to remove some ballest to make the vessel lighter.
Correct: They decided to remove some ballast to make the vessel lighter.
Incorrect: The engineer recommended adding more ballest for stability.
Correct: The engineer recommended adding more ballast for stability.
Incorrect: He used a ballest to stabilize the ship.
Correct: He used ballast to stabilize the ship.
Incorrect: Without proper ballest, the ship could easily capsize.
Correct: Without proper ballast, the ship could easily capsize.
Incorrect: The weight of the ballest helps keep the boat upright.
Correct: The weight of the ballast helps keep the boat upright.
Ballast Definitions
Ballast is a heavy substance used in ships and hot air balloons to ensure stability.
The ship's ballast helps it remain upright during storms.
Ballast can also refer to a device that maintains the current in an electric circuit.
The fluorescent light needs a new ballast.
In railways, ballast refers to the crushed stone beneath tracks to distribute the load.
They added new ballast to the railway tracks.
In general, ballast can imply anything that provides steadiness or weight.
The sandbags served as ballast for the tent.
Heavy material that is carried to improve stability or maintain proper trim, as on a ship, or to limit buoyancy, as on a balloon.
Coarse gravel or crushed rock laid to form a bed for roads or railroads.
The gravel ingredient of concrete.
Something that gives stability, especially in character.
To stabilize or provide with ballast.
To fill (a railroad bed) with or as if with ballast.
(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; track ballast.
(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.
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.
To stabilize or load a ship with ballast.
To lay ballast on the bed of a railroad track.
To weigh down with a ballast.
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.
Any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it steadiness.
Gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid.
The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete.
Fig.: That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security.
It [piety] is the right ballast of prosperity.
To steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold.
To fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone, etc., in order to make it firm and solid.
To keep steady; to steady, morally.
'T is charity must ballast the heart.
Any heavy material used to stabilize a ship or airship
Coarse gravel laid to form a bed for streets and railroads
An attribute that tends to give stability in character and morals; something that steadies the mind or feelings
A resistor inserted into a circuit to compensate for changes (as those arising from temperature fluctuations)
An electrical device for starting and regulating fluorescent and discharge lamps
Make steady with a ballast
It denotes something that provides stability or substance.
She was his emotional ballast during hard times.
Ballast Meaning in a Sentence
Heavy rocks were used as ballast to weigh down the balloon.
Adjusting the ballast helps the submarine control its buoyancy.
Ballast tanks in large ships are filled and emptied to adjust the vessel's draft.
The construction crew used concrete blocks as temporary ballast.
Before takeoff, the pilot checks the ballast to ensure the aircraft is balanced.
Ships often use water as ballast to maintain stability at sea.
The ballast in the bottom of the boat keeps it balanced in the water.
Railroad tracks are often laid on a bed of ballast to keep them in place.
The ballast helps keep the floating dock stable in the water.
Farmers sometimes use soil as ballast in their tractors' tires for better grip.
The engineer added ballast to the rear of the car to improve traction.
To prepare for the storm, they added extra ballast to the base of the tent.
The ballast in the cargo hold was adjusted for the long journey across the ocean.
Ballast bags are used in paragliding to alter flight characteristics.
The ballast in the garden helped prevent the outdoor furniture from blowing away.
Without the correct ballast, the race car failed the safety inspection.
The stability of the floating platform was ensured by adding sufficient ballast.
During renovations, ballast was added to the base of the building for support.
For the science experiment, we used sand as ballast in the model rocket.
Adjusting the amount of ballast changed the diving depth of the remote-controlled submarine.
Ballast water is often exchanged at sea to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Ballast is crucial for maintaining the stability of oil platforms at sea.
The hot air balloon lost altitude, so the operator dropped some ballast.
In racing, teams carefully calculate the ballast to meet the weight requirements.
The old shipwreck was still loaded with stone ballast in its hull.
Ballast Idioms & Phrases
Throw out the ballast
To get rid of what is not needed in order to rise or improve.
To improve its financial situation, the company had to throw out the ballast by cutting unnecessary expenses.
Ballast against the storm
Preparation or stabilization against difficult times.
Saving money acts as ballast against the storm of unexpected expenses.
Finding one's ballast
Achieving stability or balance in life or a situation.
After years of uncertainty, he finally found his ballast when he started his own business.
Carry too much ballast
To be overly cautious or to carry unnecessary weight or burden.
You're carrying too much ballast worrying about things that might not even happen.
Lighten the ballast
To remove what is heavy or burdensome in order to move more freely or efficiently.
She lightened the ballast by delegating some of her responsibilities to her team.
Common Curiosities
What is the verb form of ballast?
Ballast can be used as a verb, meaning to furnish with ballast.
What is the root word of ballast?
The root is the Old Norse word "barlast."
Which vowel is used before ballast?
The vowel "a" is used before ballast (in "bal-").
What is the pronunciation of ballast?
/ˈbæl.əst/
What is the plural form of ballast?
Ballasts.
Which conjunction is used with ballast?
No specific conjunction is linked to the use of ballast.
Why is it called ballast?
The term "ballast" originates from the Old Norse word "barlast," meaning "bare load" or "simple load."
Which preposition is used with ballast?
"Of," as in "ballast of a ship."
What is the singular form of ballast?
Ballast.
Is ballast a noun or adjective?
Noun.
How many syllables are in ballast?
Two syllables.
How do we divide ballast into syllables?
Bal-last.
What is a stressed syllable in ballast?
The first syllable, "bal."
What is the opposite of ballast?
There's no direct opposite, but in terms of function, "buoyancy" can be considered opposite as it promotes floatation.
Is ballast a negative or positive word?
Neutral.
Is the word ballast imperative?
No.
What is another term for ballast?
Counterweight.
Which determiner is used with ballast?
Any determiner like "some," "much," or "a lot of" can be used based on context.
Which article is used with ballast?
Both "a" and "the" can be used, depending on the context.
Is ballast an abstract noun?
No.
Is ballast a vowel or consonant?
Ballast is a word consisting of both vowels and consonants.
Is the ballast term a metaphor?
It can be used metaphorically to refer to something that provides stability or substance.
What is the first form of ballast?
Ballast.
Is ballast an adverb?
No.
What is the third form of ballast?
Ballasted.
How is ballast used in a sentence?
"The engineer recommended adding more ballast to stabilize the structure."
Is ballast a countable noun?
Yes.
Is ballast a collective noun?
No.
What part of speech is ballast?
Noun.
What is the second form of ballast?
Ballasted.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
