What does rammed mean?
Rammed is the past tense and past participle of ram. Its most familiar meaning is to strike or drive something forward with considerable force, as when a vehicle "rammed" a gate or a player "rammed" an opponent. The word can also mean to pack a space so completely that little or no room remains, commonly expressed in phrases such as "rammed full." A third, less frequent sense involves moving forcefully through an obstruction or crowd. Across these uses, rammed conveys sudden force, pressure, or compression. The word is neutral in register but often suggests a harsh or energetic action. It is common in British and American English and appears in journalism, sport, transport, and everyday descriptions of crowded places.
To strike or drive something forcefully, or to fill a space completely.
"The truck rammed the barricade and forced its way through."
This is the past tense and past participle of ram.
Forced or packed completely, especially with people or objects.
"The bus was rammed with commuters."
Usually used in the phrase "rammed full" or in predicative constructions.
From battering a door to filling a stadium to the brim, one word can describe both impact and intense compression.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rammed come from?
The word comes from ram, an Old English term for a male sheep and, by extension, a battering ram used to break down doors and fortifications. The verb developed the meanings of striking with force and driving something into a space. Its Germanic ancestry is shared with Dutch ram and German Ramme, both meaning a male sheep and a battering device.
Related word forms
How rammed is actually used
In British and American English, the past tense and past participle are the same form. The phrase "rammed full" is common when describing a container or place that has been packed tightly.
Easily confused with rammed
Ram is the basic form of the verb, while rammed is its past tense and past participle.