French translation of ballast is 
ballast

Meaning of "ballast" in English

In English, "ballast" refers to a heavy material placed in a vessel to ensure its stability and balance. Commonly used in the context of ships and boats, ballast can be made of gravel, sand, or water contained in a special tank. It helps to maintain the vessel’s equilibrium by counterbalancing the weight of cargo or passengers. Beyond its nautical usage, "ballast" is also used metaphorically to describe something that provides stability or balance in other contexts, such as emotional or financial stability.

Meaning of "ballast" in French

In French, "ballast" carries a similar definition as in English, referring to the heavy material used to stabilize ships, known as "lest" in certain contexts. Additionally, "ballast" in French is used in railway engineering to describe the crushed stone or gravel laid beneath and around railway tracks to provide physical stability and proper drainage. This usage helps to distribute the weight of passing trains evenly and prevents track deformation. The term can also be extended metaphorically to refer to any stabilizing factor in different situations.

Pronunciation of "ballast" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˈbæ.læst/

Pronunciation Variations: The pronunciation of "ballast" remains relatively consistent across different English dialects, though slight variations in vowel length might occur, primarily between American and British English speakers. In American English, the "a" in the first syllable might be pronounced slightly more like in "cat," whereas in British English, it might sound closer to "bar."

Pronunciation of "ballast" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /ba.last/

Pronunciation Variations: The pronunciation of "ballast" in French remains largely uniform across various French-speaking regions. However, certain regional accents might influence the intonation and emphasis slightly, though these do not typically alter the recognition or understanding of the term.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

1. The ship used sand as ballast to maintain stability at sea. (Le navire utilisait du sable comme ballast pour maintenir la stabilité en mer.)
2. It’s crucial to add ballast when the boat is carrying heavy loads. (Il est crucial d'ajouter du ballast quand le bateau transporte des charges lourdes.)
3. The engineer examined the ballast in the railway tracks. (L'ingénieur a examiné le ballast des voies ferrées.)
4. Emotional ballast was vital for her during turbulent times. (Un ballast émotionnel était vital pour elle durant les périodes turbulentes.)
5. The aircraft adjusts its ballast automatically. (L'avion ajuste automatiquement son ballast.)
6. The sailors jettisoned some of the ballast to lighten the ship. (Les marins ont largué une partie du ballast pour alléger le navire.)
7. Effective financial management acts as a ballast for the company. (Une gestion financière efficace agit comme un ballast pour l'entreprise.)
8. Ballast is required to ensure safe railway operations. (Le ballast est nécessaire pour assurer la sécurité des opérations ferroviaires.)
9. The photographer mentioned using ballast to stabilize the camera. (Le photographe a mentionné l'utilisation de ballast pour stabiliser l'appareil photo.)
10. The importance of ballast in maintaining balance is often underestimated. (L'importance du ballast dans le maintien de l'équilibre est souvent sous-estimée.)

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "ballast" in English

Synonyms: stabilizer, weight, counterbalance, buffer, balance, support, anchor, foundation, underpinning, groundwork.

Antonyms: instability, imbalance, volatility, frailness, weakness.

Similar Words: equilibrium, steadiness, load, base, platform.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "ballast" in French

Synonyms: lest, stabilisateur, contrepoids, support, fondation.

Antonyms: instabilité, déséquilibre, légèreté, fragilité.

Similar Words: équilibre, base, fondement, appui, soubassement.

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