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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some modern theories have posited that the wooden horse was a machine of warfare, such as a siege engine or a battering ram. — Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026 In one image from the arrest, an officer appears to use a handheld battering ram to force entry into the front gate of the home. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 In that case, Fricke never denied firing the shots that killed Rittner, 35, who used a battering ram while serving a search warrant at Fricke’s south side home. — Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 27 Mar. 2026 Her onstage persona is reminiscent of a battering ram — plainspoken, combative, and staccato. — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for battering ram

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of battering ram was in 1593

Rhymes for battering ram

See All Rhymes for battering ram

Browse Nearby Words

battering
battering ram
batter pile
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Battering ram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/battering%20ram. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on battering ram

Nglish: Translation of battering ram for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about battering ram

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