ram
13 synonyms for ram, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An adult male sheep.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
An adult male sheep.
“The ram stood proudly on the hill, watching over the flock.”
How to use ram
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
ram a door
ram into something
battering ram
Etymology
From Old English ramm, "male sheep" — a very old Germanic word, related to similar words in Dutch and German for the same animal.
Full origin of ram →Frequently asked questions
What does “ram” mean?
The word “ram” means an adult male sheep. In plain terms, as a noun, a male sheep or a heavy battering tool; as a verb, to crash or force something into place hard.
How do you pronounce “ram”?
“Ram” is pronounced RAM (/ˈɹeə̯m/ in IPA).
How do you use “ram” in a sentence?
Here is “ram” used in a sentence: “The farmer kept a single ram for breeding with the ewes.”
What part of speech is “ram”?
Depending on how it is used, “ram” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ram” come from?
The word “ram” comes from Old English. From Old English ramm, "male sheep" — a very old Germanic word, related to similar words in Dutch and German for the same animal.
Is “ram” a common word?
“Ram” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “ram” have?
“Ram” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an adult male sheep.
What is the difference between a 'ram' and a 'ewe'?
A ram is an adult male sheep, while a ewe is an adult female sheep. Rams are typically larger and, in many breeds, are the ones that grow curved horns.
What is the difference between a 'ram' and a 'lamb'?
A ram is an adult male sheep, whereas a lamb is a young sheep of either sex, usually under a year old. In short, 'ram' refers to sex and maturity, while 'lamb' refers to age.
Is the computer term 'RAM' related to the animal 'ram'?
No. In computing, 'RAM' is an acronym for Random Access Memory and is unrelated to the sheep or the battering meaning. They are spelled the same only by coincidence.
