battering ram

American  

noun

1. an ancient military device with a heavy horizontal ram for battering down walls, gates, etc.

2. any of various similar devices, usually machine-powered, used in demolition, by police and firefighters to force entrance to a building, etc.

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battering ram British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of battering ram

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

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

"Dolores Claiborne" hit like a battering ram into a cultural space that offered only two conceptions of b***hery—vile monster and bad** renegade—both of which grossly failed to represent real women living hardscrabble lives.

From Salon ● Mar. 23, 2025

My dad barrels out of the living room like a battering ram, Mom and Rosemarie fluttering behind him.

From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven