ballast
noun
1. any heavy material used to stabilize a ship or airship
Definition categories: man–made, material, stuff
2. coarse gravel laid to form a bed for streets and railroads
Definition categories: substance, gravel
3. an attribute that tends to give stability in character and morals; something that steadies the mind or feelings
Definition categories: attribute
4. a resistor inserted into a circuit to compensate for changes (as those arising from temperature fluctuations)
Similar word(s): barretter
Definition categories: man–made, resistance, resistor
5. an electrical device for starting and regulating fluorescent and discharge lamps
Definition categories: man–made