any heavy substance, as stone, iron, etc., put into the hold to sink a vessel in the water to such a depth as to prevent capsizing.-any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it steadiness.-gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid.-the larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete.-fig.: that which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security.-to steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold.-to fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone, etc., in order to make it firm and solid.-to keep steady; to steady, morally.