1º_ Low quality slab or stone. 2º_ Weight in stone, sand, water, always something of little value that is used in a ship to stabilize it, especially in cargo ships to maintain the waterline before filling the holds with merchandise. 3º_ For the previous one, anything that makes weight, especially if it hinders the advance or the ascent. It is also used figuratively. 4º_ In lunfardo it is said of the "food that is loaded in the stomach and increases the weight of the belly". 5º_ Inflection of the verb to weigh . See verbs/ballast .
That weighs much, causing discomfort under their weight. Load, weight counterbalance, impediment, obstacle, difficulty, clog, brake, impediment.