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

He’s a dogmatic submissive, an inner tension illustrated by Penn to marvelous effect when Lockjaw shows up at Perfidia’s door with flowers and, when she doesn’t answer, returns with a battering ram.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

The attorney general has become a national battering ram for Republican causes.

From Salon

The whisper is that England have decided he is not pacey enough to be a battering ram, nor has the skills to thrive with the new ball.

From BBC

“We are not going to let them use this as a political battering ram. The Rules Committee became the ground for them to do that.”

From Salon