water ballast

See also: water-ballast

English

Noun

water ballast (uncountable)

  1. (nautical) A weight in the form of seawater that can be let or pumped into a ballast tank within a vessel when required.
    • 1959 May, L. T. C. Rolt, “Centenary of the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash”, in Railway Magazine, page 310:
      Thanks to the previous experience of the chief performers, to careful preparation and rehearsal, and to perfect weather conditions, they watched in breath-bated silence the spectacle of the huge bulk moving without a hitch into position over the temporary pier caps on which it settled as water ballast was admitted to the pontoons.
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