ram
gb/ɹˈæm/ us/ɹˈæm/
A2
English
~ 3300
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Hit something forcefully
To hit something very hard and strongly.
Usage pattern:
to ram [something] [with/into something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'ram' with 'slam'; 'ram' usually involves forward movement and impact, not just closing or dropping something quickly.
Synonyms
slam (Implies a sudden, loud, and forceful impact, often with a door or object.)
Antonyms
avoid (Means to keep away from hitting or making contact.)
Collocations
ram into
|ram home
|ram through
|ram the door
Themes
movement
|violence
|sports
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The truck accidentally rammed into the wall.
- He rammed the shopping cart into the display.
- The protesters tried to ram the gate open.
- A ship rammed another vessel in the harbor.
Learner examples
- The car rammed into a tree.
- He rammed the ball into the net.
- The goat rammed the fence.
- The boat rammed the dock.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Adult male sheep
A male sheep with horns, used for breeding.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'ram' with 'lamb'; lamb is a young sheep, while a ram is an adult male sheep.
Synonyms
tup (Primarily used in British English farming contexts.)
Antonyms
ewe (A female sheep, opposite in gender to a ram.)
Collocations
mountain ram
|wild ram
|ram horns
Themes
animals
|farming
Examples
- The farmer introduced a new ram to the flock.
- A wild ram was spotted on the hillside.
- Rams are often aggressive during mating season.
- The ram lowered its head and charged.
Learner examples
- The ram has big horns.
- A ram lives on the farm.
- The ram is strong.
- We saw a ram in the field.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
3
Random access computer memory
Computer memory that stores data while the computer is on.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse RAM with permanent storage like hard drives or SSDs; RAM is temporary memory.
Synonyms
random access memory (The full technical term for RAM.)
Antonyms
storage (Permanent data storage like a hard drive, unlike temporary RAM.)
Collocations
RAM capacity
|install RAM
|upgrade RAM
Themes
technology
|computing
Examples
- The laptop has 16GB of RAM.
- Adding more RAM can make your computer faster.
- RAM stores data temporarily for quick access.
- The program crashed due to insufficient RAM.
Learner examples
- My phone has 4GB of RAM.
- The game needs more RAM.
- RAM helps the computer work fast.
- I will add more RAM to my PC.
Verb
informal
B2
action
4
Push through despite resistance
To make something happen even if people do not agree.
Usage pattern:
to ram [something] through [a place/organization]
Common mistake:
Learners may take this meaning literally; here it is figurative, about pushing ideas or actions through processes.
Synonyms
force through (Emphasizes determination in overcoming opposition.)
Antonyms
block (To prevent something from happening or being accepted.)
Collocations
ram through legislation
|ram home a point
Themes
politics
|business
|communication
Examples
- They tried to ram the proposal through before the deadline.
- The leader rammed the bill through parliament.
- He rammed his ideas through despite criticism.
Learner examples
- They rammed the law through quickly.
- She rammed her plan through the team.
- He rammed his rules through at work.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ram
IPA
GB/ɹˈæm/
US/ɹˈæm/
Syllables & stress
ram (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (ram)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ram
- Plural: rams
Verb
- Base: ram
- 3rd Person Singular: rams
- Present Participle: ramming
- Past: rammed
Word family
Forms
rams
noun
ramming
verb
rammed
verb
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: ramming Verb
- Irregular past: rammed Verb
Expressions
ram home
1/ɹˈæm hˈoʊm/
idiom
Emphasize strongly for clarity
To say or show something in a strong way so people understand it completely.
Examples
- The coach rammed home the importance of teamwork.
- The teacher rammed home the need for punctuality.
ram through
1/ɹˈæm θɹˈu/
phrasal verb
informal
Push through despite opposition
To make something happen quickly even if people do not agree with it.
Examples
- They rammed through the new policy in just two days.
- He tried to ram through his proposal before anyone could object.