noun
- a rod for ramming down the charge of a muzzleloading firearm.
- a cleaning rod for the barrel of a firearm.
- a strict disciplinarian; martinet.
verb (used with object), ram·rod·ded, ram·rod·ding.
- to exert discipline and authority on.
- to strike or injure with or as if with a ramrod.
- to accomplish or put into action by force, intimidation, etc.: to ramrod a bill through Congress.
noun
- a rod for cleaning the barrel of a rifle or other small firearms
- a rod for ramming in the charge of a muzzle-loading firearm
1757, literally “a rod used in ramming” (the charge of a gun), from ram (v.) + rod. Used figuratively for straightness or stiffness from 1939, also figuratively for formality, primness (ramroddy is in Century Dictionary, 1902). The verb is 1948, from the noun. Related: Ramrodded; ramrodding.