ramrod

/ˈɹæmɹɒd/

//ˈɹæmɹɒd// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"ramrod" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“ramrod” is an uncommon English word, ranked #72,694 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#72,694
frequency rank, English
6
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - Device used with muzzleloaders to push the projectile up against the propellant.

Key facts for ramrod
PropertyValue
Headwordramrod
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈɹæmɹɒd/
Letters6
Frequency rank#72,694
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “ramrod” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). ramrod lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for ramrod is 6 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈɹæmɹɒd/. Corpus data places it at rank #72,694 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 3 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

No misspelling variants are generated for ramrod in our index, since its letter pattern doesn't lend itself to common typo substitutions. Our confusable-pair dataset has no match for it, which typically means the spelling is too distinctive to be mistaken for another word.

Etymologically, the entry records: From ram + rod. The correct English form is ramrod, spelled R-A-M-R-O-D.

Definition

  1. 1
    Device used with muzzleloaders to push the projectile up against the propellant.
  2. 2
    Ranch or trail foreman, usually the first or second person in charge. The person responsible for getting the work done.
  3. 3
    An erect penis.

Etymology

From ram + rod.

This word in other languages

baqueta(Español)baguette(Français)Ladestock(Deutsch)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "ramrod"?
"ramrod" is spelled R-A-M-R-O-D. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈɹæmɹɒd/.
What does "ramrod" mean?
As a noun, "ramrod" means: Device used with muzzleloaders to push the projectile up against the propellant.
How do you pronounce "ramrod"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "ramrod" is /ˈɹæmɹɒd/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "ramrod"?
From ram + rod. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “ramrod”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is R-A-M-R-O-D - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈɹæmɹɒd/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list