battering ram

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.

battering ram

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of battering ram¹

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

In a statement to The Post, Bishop accused the FBI of using “brute force” in executing the search warrant at her home, including using a battering ram to open her door and handcuffing her in front of her children.

From Washington Post

Like, you’re not gonna see Lina Khan and a bunch of cops on the nightly news… busting through the front doors of Facebook headquarters with a battering ram… confiscating laptops, and computer servers and kegs of kombucha.

From Digiday

A mobile battering ram idled in front of their house as the officers tossed flash-bang grenades.

From ProPublica

The FBI previously alleged that Powell, wearing a pink hat and carrying a bullhorn, helped shatter a window with a battering ram and appeared to direct others at the scene.

From Washington Post

Adding Suggs would give Stan Van Gundy the ability to use Williamson more often as a battering ram roll man in pick and rolls, and it would allow the Pelicans to move on from Eric Bledsoe.

From Washington Post

One with a pistol strapped to his hip swings a battering ram into a door.

From The Daily Beast

Tonight, he was a battering ram whenever anyone tried to interrupt him.

From The Daily Beast

His dream quickly turned prophetic, as Coach Beiste finally agreed to allow him to join the team as a human battering ram.

From The Daily Beast

But, also, such pulse-pounding adventure is a battering ram against the central bulwark of a civilized society.

From The Daily Beast

The door had locked itself behind me; they got a fence post for a battering ram, and the post burst into flame.

From Project Gutenberg

The tortoise of the battering ram was constructed in the same way.

From Project Gutenberg

Virtus ariete fortior—Virtue is stronger than a 35 battering-ram.

From Project Gutenberg

It had stout wheel-spokes and heavy felloes, a great curved bed, immense straps and springs, and a pole like a battering-ram.

From Project Gutenberg

The first one caught Zimballo full in the chest and knocked him back against the wall with the shock of a battering ram.

From Project Gutenberg