ballast
nounmasculine/ˈlaʃtɾu/low
las·tro
Definitions
1Heavy material placed in the hold of a ship or the gondola of a balloon to ensure stability.
The ship took on ballast for the voyage.
The balloon dropped ballast to gain altitude.
Common collocations
sand ballastdrop ballastballast tank
2Something that gives stability or substance.
His knowledge provided the ballast for the team's arguments.
Tradition acts as a cultural ballast.
Common collocations
moral ballastfinancial ballastintellectual ballast
Etymology
Do italiano 'lastra' (placa, laje), por via do francês 'lest'.