Definition of RAM

ram

Plural: rams

Noun

  • the most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows information to be stored or accessed in any order and all storage locations are equally accessible
  • (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Aries
  • the first sign of the zodiac which the sun enters at the vernal equinox; the sun is in this sign from about March 21 to April 19
  • a tool for driving or forcing something by impact
  • uncastrated adult male sheep
  • A male sheep, typically uncastrated.
  • A battering ram; a heavy object used for breaking through doors.
  • A warship intended to sink other ships by ramming them.
  • A reinforced section of the bow of a warship, intended to be used for ramming other ships.
  • A piston powered by hydraulic pressure.
  • An act of ramming.
  • A weight which strikes a blow, in a ramming device such as a pile driver, steam hammer, or stamp mill.

Verb

Verb Forms: rammed, ramming, rams

  • To strike or force with great impact or pressure.
  • strike or drive against with a heavy impact
    • "ram the gate with a sledgehammer"
  • force into or from an action or state, either physically or metaphorically
    • "She rammed her mind into focus"
  • undergo damage or destruction on impact
  • crowd or pack to capacity
  • To collide with (an object), usually with the intention of damaging it or disabling its function.
  • To strike (something) hard, especially with an implement.
  • To seat a cartridge, projectile, or propellant charge in the breech of a firearm by pushing or striking.
  • To force, cram or thrust (someone or something) into or through something.
  • To fill or compact by pounding or driving.
  • To thrust during sexual intercourse.

Adj

  • Rancid; offensive in smell or taste.

Examples

  • After placing the cartridge in the musket, ram it down securely with the ramrod.
  • He decided to RAM his highest-scoring word into the tightly packed Scrabble board.
  • The man, driving an SUV, then rammed the gate, according to police.
  • They rammed the earth walls to make them more compact
  • To build a sturdy fence, you have to ram the posts deep into the ground.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English ram, rom, ramme, from Old English ramm (“ram”), from Proto-Germanic *rammaz (“ram”), possibly from *rammaz (“strong”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Rom (“ram”), Dutch ram (“a male sheep”), German Ramm, Ramme (“ram”). Possibly akin also to Danish ram (“sharp; acrid; rank”), Swedish ram (“strong; perfect”), Faroese ramur (“strong; competent”), Icelandic rammur (“strong; sturdy”).

Synonyms

Aries, Aries the Ram, chock up, cram, crash, drive, force, jam, jampack, pound, ram down, random access memory, random memory, random-access memory, read/write memory, tup, wad

Scrabble Score: 5

ram: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
ram: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
ram: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 6

ram: valid Words With Friends Word