TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
BALASTO [2 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2023-05-09
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Loads and Weights (Transport.)
- Water Transport
- Shipbuilding
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- ballast
1, record 1, English, ballast
correct, noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
... any solid or liquid that is brought on board a vessel to increase the draft, [to] change the trim, [to] regulate the stability or to maintain stress loads within acceptable limits. 2, record 1, English, - ballast
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Prior to the 1880s, ships used solid ballast materials such as rocks and sand, which had to be manually shoveled into cargo holds, and similarly discharged when cargo was to be loaded on board. If not properly secured, solid ballast was prone to shifting in heavy seas causing instability. With the introduction of steel-hulled vessels and pumping technology, water became the ballast of choice. 2, record 1, English, - ballast
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Poids et charges (Transports)
- Transport par eau
- Constructions navales
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- lest
1, record 1, French, lest
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- ballast 2, record 1, French, ballast
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
[...] tout solide ou liquide transporté à bord [d'un] bâtiment pour en accroître le tirant d'eau, [pour] en modifier l'assiette, [pour] en assurer la stabilité ou [pour] maintenir à un niveau acceptable les tensions imposées par la charge. 3, record 1, French, - lest
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Avant les années 1880, les navires utilisaient des matières solides (p. ex., pierres, sable), qui devaient être pelletées dans les cales et enlevées de la même façon au moment du chargement des marchandises. Le ballast devait être bien arrimé pour éviter tout ripage en conditions de grosse mer et, de là, toute déstabilisation du navire. Avec l'introduction des navires à coque d'acier et de la technologie du pompage, l'eau s'est imposée comme [...] matériel de ballastage de prédilection. 3, record 1, French, - lest
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Peso y carga (Transporte)
- Transporte por agua
- Construcción naval
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- lastre
1, record 1, Spanish, lastre
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
- balasto 2, record 1, Spanish, balasto
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Peso material que se carga para asegurar la estabilidad del buque. 2, record 1, Spanish, - lastre
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
También cabe la acepción cuando se dice de un peso que se carga en una embarcación para que ésta se sumerja, hasta un calado conveniente. 2, record 1, Spanish, - lastre
Record 2 - internal organization data 2016-07-26
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Tracks and Roadways (Rail Transport)
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- ballast
1, record 2, English, ballast
correct, noun, officially approved
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Crushed stone used in a railway bed to support the ties, hold the track in line, and help drainage. 2, record 2, English, - ballast
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
ballast: term officially approved by CP Rail. 3, record 2, English, - ballast
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Voies ferrées
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- ballast
1, record 2, French, ballast
correct, masculine noun, officially approved
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Pierre concassée servant, sur une voie de chemin de fer, au soutien des traverses, au maintien de l'alignement de la voie et au drainage. 2, record 2, French, - ballast
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
ballast : terme et définition uniformisés par le Groupe de travail de terminologie du génie. 2, record 2, French, - ballast
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 2 OBS
ballast : terme uniformisé par CP Rail. 3, record 2, French, - ballast
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Vías férreas
Record 2, Main entry term, Spanish
- balasto
1, record 2, Spanish, balasto
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 2, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Piedra dura y machacada sobre la cual se asientan las vías de ferrocarril. 1, record 2, Spanish, - balasto
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


