Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - ramrod

(ramrods) 1. A ramrod is a long, thin rod which can be used for pushing something into a narrow tube. Ramrods were used, for example, for forcing an explosive substance down the barrel of an old-fashioned gun, or for cleaning the barrel of a gun. N-COUNT 2. If someone sits or stands like a ramrod or straight as a ramrod, they have a very straight back and appear rather stiff and formal. ...a woman with iron grey hair, high cheekbones and a figure like a ramrod. PHRASE 3. If someone has a ramrod back or way of standing, they have a very straight back and hold themselves in a rather stiff and formal way. I don’t have the ramrod posture I had when I was in the Navy. ADJ: ADJ n • Ramrod is also an adverb. At 75, she’s still ramrod straight. ADV: ADV adj