Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun See ballast, 1.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word water-ballast.

Examples

  • An instrument showed the water-ballast tanks filling to capacity now.

    Modesty Blaise O'Donnell, P. 1965

  • The water-ballast tank is situated immediately behind the pilot's seat and contains 14 gallons of water weighing 140 lbs. The armament consists of a Lewis gun and bombs.

    British Airships, Past, Present, and Future George Whale

  • Not for long did the young inventor endeavor to break his way out of the water-ballast tank by striking the heavy sides of it.

    Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat, or, under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure Victor [pseud.] Appleton

  • "Geordie" lamp of Stephenson, the hydraulic machinery and the big guns of Armstrong, to the wonderful turbine engines of Parsons; the invention of water-ballast, too, belongs to the Tyne, for it was the idea of a

    Northumberland Yesterday and To-day 1908

  • The gas compartments are permitted both fore and aft, as in the old type, but the water-ballast central tank is rendered obligatory.

    Actions and Reactions Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • These bilge-keels contained four grip-anchors -- one at either extremity of each keel -- by means of which the ship could, when necessary, be firmly secured to the ground, as she now was, in fact; and they also formed chambers for the reception of water-ballast, when such was required.

    With Airship and Submarine A Tale of Adventure Harry Collingwood 1886

  • Most fortunately I had not sand-ballast, in tarred bags, as most of our pleasure-boats had, but water-ballast in breakers, which now proved no additional burthen to the boat.

    The Bushman — Life in a New Country Edward Wilson Landor 1844

  • After considerable deliberation, I matured a plan for a metal lifeboat, of a cylindrico-conical or chrysalis form, to be propelled by a screw at each end, turned by sixteen men inside, seated on water-ballast tanks; sufficient room being left at the ends inside for the accommodation of ten or twelve shipwrecked persons; while a mate near the bow, and the captain near the stern in charge of the rudder, were stationed in recesses in the deck about three feet deep.

    Men of Invention and Industry Samuel Smiles 1858

  • "Syne Bell got orders to tak 'the Kite round to Liverpool in water-ballast, and McRimmon came to bid's good-bye, yammerin' an 'whinin' o'er the acres o 'paint he'd lavished on the Lammergeyer.

    The Day's Work - Volume 1 Rudyard Kipling 1900

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.