battering ram: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Historical, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “battering ram” mean?
A large, heavy beam (historically a tree trunk) used in ancient and medieval warfare to break down gates or walls by being repeatedly rammed against them.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, heavy beam (historically a tree trunk) used in ancient and medieval warfare to break down gates or walls by being repeatedly rammed against them.
Any person, tool, or force used in a sustained, forceful, and relentless attack to overcome a barrier or resistance, either physically or metaphorically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identical connotations of brute force and persistent assault.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both variants, used in similar historical, journalistic, or metaphorical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “battering ram” in a Sentence
[The protestors/arguments] served as a battering ram against [the policy/the door].[They/He] used [X] as a battering ram to [achieve Y].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “battering ram” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The rioters attempted to batter the door down.
- Protestors battered at the gates for hours.
American English
- The police battered down the suspect's door.
- The storm battered the coastline relentlessly.
adjective
British English
- The battering-ram tactic proved ultimately unsuccessful.
- They mounted a battering-ram assault on the proposal.
American English
- The battering-ram approach alienated potential allies.
- He is known for his battering-ram style of debate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Figurative: 'The new market data became a battering ram for the board to force a change in strategy.'
Academic
Historical/Military Studies: 'The effectiveness of the Roman battering ram was enhanced by a protective shed called a 'testudo'.'
Everyday
Rare in literal sense. Figurative: 'The constant complaints were a battering ram against his confidence.'
Technical
Historical reenactment, archaeology, military engineering: 'The reconstruction required a team of twenty to operate the full-scale battering ram.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “battering ram”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “battering ram”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “battering ram”
- Misspelling as 'battery ram' or 'battering ramm'. Incorrectly using it for a single blow rather than a repeated, sustained action.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a compound noun, written as two separate words without a hyphen in its standard noun form. A hyphen is often used when it functions as a modifier (e.g., battering-ram attack).
Yes, but almost exclusively in a figurative sense. Literal use is confined to historical discussion, reenactment, or specific tactical police/military equipment (though modern terms like 'breaching ram' are more common).
A battering ram is a focused tool for breaking gates/walls through repeated impact. A siege tower is a mobile protective structure used to transport attackers to the top of a wall. They are different types of siege engine.
Figuratively, yes. It means he was a persistently forceful person used to break down resistance, e.g., 'In negotiations, he was the team's battering ram.'
A large, heavy beam (historically a tree trunk) used in ancient and medieval warfare to break down gates or walls by being repeatedly rammed against them.
Battering ram is usually technical/historical, figurative in register.
Battering ram: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbætərɪŋ ˌræm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbætərɪŋ ˌræm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Use something as a battering ram”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a RAM (the animal) repeatedly BATTERING its horns against a door. The word combines both actions.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS WAR / FORCEFUL ACTION IS A PHYSICAL IMPACT ('Her questions were a battering ram against his flawed theory.').
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, what is the primary characteristic of a 'battering ram'?