ramrod

UK: /ˈræmˌrɒd/ US: /ˈræmˌrɑd/ ,(ram′rod′)

Inflections of 'ramrod' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

ramrods

v 3rd person singular

ramrodding

v pres p

ramrodded

v past

ramrodded

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ram•rod /ˈræmˌrɑd/   n. 

[countable]
1. a rod for cleaning or for pushing down the gunpowder into an old-type gun.

adj. [before a noun]

2. stiff and straight as a ramrod:
   stood at ramrod attention.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ram•rod  (ram′rod′), n., v., -rod•ded, -rod•ding. 
n. 

1. a rod for ramming down the charge of a muzzleloading firearm.
2. a cleaning rod for the barrel of a firearm.
3. a strict disciplinarian;
   martinet.

v.t. 

4. to exert discipline and authority on.
5. to strike or injure with or as if with a ramrod.
6. to accomplish or put into action by force, intimidation, etc.:
   to ramrod a bill through Congress.

• ram¹ + rod 1750–60

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ramrod / ˈræmˌrɒd/ noun

1. a rod for cleaning the barrel of a rifle or other small firearms