ballast
noun /ˈbæləst/
/ˈbæləst/
[uncountable]- heavy material placed in a ship or hot-air balloon to make it heavier and keep it steady
Topics Transport by waterc2(船中保持平衡的)压舱物;(热气球的)镇重物 - a layer of stones that makes a strong base on which a road, railway, etc. can be built
(用作公路或铁路路基的)道砟
词源mid 16th cent.: probably of Low German or Scandinavian origin.