battering ram

noun

1

: a military siege engine consisting of a large wooden beam with a head of iron used in ancient times to beat down the walls of a besieged place

2

: a heavy metal bar with handles used (as by firefighters) to batter down doors and walls

Examples of battering ram in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Advertisement Prosecutors said the crew’s modus operandi was to search neighborhoods for vehicles like the Kia to steal for temporary use as a battering ram. —Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024

And it was accomplished in large part due to a balanced offensive approach that features Henry as its battering ram. —Jesse Reed, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

Ferrell’s idea, in conjunction with director Josh Greenbaum (Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar), was to take Steele across the country, in part to get reacquainted with his old (and now kind of new) friend, but also to serve as a sort of cisgender battering ram for her. —Samantha Allen, Them, 12 Sep. 2024

An armored vehicle faced his family home, its massive battering ram aimed at the front door. —James Bandler, ProPublica, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

battering ram

noun

1

: an ancient military machine consisting of a large iron-tipped wooden beam used to beat down walls

2

: a heavy metal bar with handles used (as by firefighters) to batter down doors and walls