Showing results for battering ram. Search instead for Battering+Ram.

battering ram

American

noun

an ancient military device with a heavy horizontal ram for battering down walls, gates, etc.
any of various similar devices, usually machine-powered, used in demolition, by police and firefighters to force entrance to a building, etc.

battering ram British

noun

(esp formerly) a large beam used to break down the walls or doors of fortifications

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of battering ram

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

battering ram

Beginning with tobacco, they refitted the dusty doctrine as a battering ram and swung it at guns, lead paint, opioids and oil companies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

On June 11, he wrote: “Every time I read about the battering ram incident I’m just floored at how wild that is.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 27, 2026

While leaning on a partner for support during the holidays is natural and even healthy, using them as an emotional battering ram is not.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 22, 2025

On first glance, Woltemade appears a battering ram of a centre forward - but that could not be further from the truth.

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2025

The long battering ram lay unguarded, conveniently spotlighted by the rats’ abandoned torches.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023