Do you know what a ram is? Do you know what RAM stands for? This article will define both the word ram and the acronym RAM. First, it will define the most common meanings of both RAM and ram. Then, it will provide alternate definitions for the acronym RAM.
What Does RAM Mean?
Ram and RAM have several different meanings. Keep reading to learn more about the word ram and the acronym RAM!
The Word Ram
According to Dictionary, a ram is an adult male sheep. The ram is also the symbol for Aries, the first sign of the zodiac. In addition, rams are often associated with being stubborn, hard-headed, and having great force. The pronunciation of ram is ræm.
Ram is also a transitive verb that means to drive or strike with heavy blows or great force. This definition of ram can also refer to an object that can crush, drive, or batter something. Examples of rams include a hydraulic ram, a hydraulic press, a battering ram, and a pile driver.
If you were to look up synonyms of ram in a thesaurus, you might find words like shove or strike. For the noun definition of ram, you might find words like sheep or bat.
The Acronym RAM
Your Dictionary states that RAM is also an acronym for random access memory. This is the main memory of an operating system on a computer and acts as temporary data storage for data and instructions. If you have more RAM in your memory chip or CPU, your computer runs faster than one with less RAM. Some games and apps require a specific amount of RAM to run properly.
Temporary storage like RAM is different from other types of data storage like hard drives or solid-state drives (SSD). There are several types of RAM, including CRAM, DRAM (dynamic RAM), and SRAM (static RAM.)
What Are Other Meanings of RAM?
RAM can be an abbreviation for many other definitions besides random access memory. The Free Dictionary provides many possible RAM definitions!
Meanings of RAM in Technology
RAM can stand for many things in technology outside of random access memory, including:
- Responsibility Assignment Matrix (project management)
- Reading Acceleration Machine
- Random Access Machine (informatics)
- Real Audio Movie (file extension)
- Random Access Memory
- Streaming RealAudio File
- Random Access Method
- Random Access Measurement System (Sprint)
- Ready Access Memory, Inc.
- Record Access Mode
- Remote Application Management
- Research Analysis & Maintenance, Inc.
- Robotics, Automation, and Mechatronics (International Conference)
- Read And Modify (original meaning when referring to computer memory)
- Requirements Abstraction Model
- Remote Account Management
- Remote Access Multiplexer (Pulsecom)
- Rational Asset Manager (software)
- Real Address Mode
- Remote Access Manager (Digital Lightwave)
- Remedy Asset Management
- Remote Access Multiplexer
- Remote Administration Module (computing)
- Random Access Machine
- Resource Access and Management
- Playlist file for multiple RA (RealAudio) or RM (RealMedia) files
- Real Audio Metafile
- Radio Access Management
Meanings of RAM in Government
RAM has government meanings worldwide:
- Revenu Annuel Moyen (French: Average Annual Income)
- Royal Australian Mint
- Radio Attenuation Measurement
- Risk Assessment Methodology
- Rapid Area Maintenance
- Requirements Allocation Matrix
- Regional Area Meteorologist
- Remote Area Monitor
- Reliability, Availability, & Maintainability
- Ratscat Advanced Measurement
- Reliability Assessment & Monitoring
- Radar Absorbent Material
- Raised Angle Marker (military paradrop)
- Reconnaissance Air Meet
- Russian Aviation Museum
- Rolling Airframe Missile
- Regional Asset Manager
- Request for Approval of Material (Washington State Department of Transportation)
- Raised Angle Marker (identifies a point of impact for airdrop operations)
- Reliability and Maintainability
- Radiological Aerosol Monitor
- Relais Assistances Maternelles (French childcare center)
- Readiness Action Measure
- Responsibility and Accountability Matrix
- Rockets And Missiles
- Radar-Absorbing Material
- Research and Applications Module
- Restricted Access Management (fishing program)
- Reform the Armed Forces Movement (Philippines)
- Random Antiterrorism Measures (US DoD)
- Retrofit Attrition Material
- Rockets, Artillery, and Mortars
Meanings of RAM in Science
If you work in science, you might see RAM stand for one of the below definitions:
- Radiation Air Monitor
- Rapidly-Adapting Mechanoreceptor (neuroscience)
- Radio Audience Measurement
- Restricted Access Materials
- Rechargeable Alkaline Manganese (battery)
- Radiation Attenuation Measurement
- Rabbit Anti-Mouse
- Radioactive Material
- Right Ascension of the Meridian
- Root Aeration Matting (trees)
- Residue Analytical Methods
- Ras-Related Gene from Megakaryocyte (protein)
- Restricted Ability to Maneuver (ships)
- Réduction de l’Action Moléculaire (French: Reduction of Molecular Action)
- Rectangular Approximation Method (calculus, integrals)
- Regional Atmospheric Model (meteorology)
- Root Apical Meristem
- Restricted Area Molding
- Réseau des Animaleries Montpelliéraines (French animal studies network)
- Radiation Area Monitor
- Restricted-Access Media
- Revista Argentina de Microbiología (Spanish: Argentina Journal of Microbiology)
- Rapid Alternating Movements (neurology)
- Risk Assessment Matrix
- Revista del Aficionado a la Meteorologia (Spanish)
- Relative Atomic Mass (chemistry)
- Remote Area Medical
Meanings of RAM in Business
People in finance or business may utilize one of these definitions of RAM:
- Regional Accounting Manager
- Regional Agency Markets
- Rothschild Asset Management (New York)
- Real Action Marker (paintball gun)
- Round-A-Mount (RAM Mounting Systems)
- Research and Analysis of Media (marketing)
- Recent Advances in Manufacturing
- Reverse Annuity Mortgage
- Rating Agency Malaysia Bhd.
- Resolution Asset Management (various companies)
- Restaurant Association of Maryland (Columbia, MD)
- Registered Apartment Management
- Radio Alpine Meilleure (French radio station)
- Resource Allocation Method
- Rangeline Antique Mall (Joplin, MO)
- Route Asset Manager (transport)
- Radio Alpes Mancelles (French radio station)
- Recherche et Applications En Marketing (French: Research and Applications in Marketing)
- Residual Asset Manager
- Regional Audit Manager
- Revenue Accounting and Management
Meanings of RAM in Organizations
Quite a few organizations abbreviate their business name as RAM:
- Reynolds Alberta Museum (Canada)
- Royal Ark Mariners (Masonic)
- Robbery Apprehension Module (NYPD)
- Ricerche e Analisi Manoscritti (Italian: Researches and Manuscript Analysis)
- Regional Atheist Meet (American Atheists, Inc.)
- Richmond Art Museum (Richmond, IN)
- Riverside Art Museum (California)
- Remaking American Medicine (resource)
- Riders Association of Maragondon (motorcycle club; Philippines)
- Royal Arch Mason (magazine)
- Rec.arts.mystery (Usenet group)
- Rochester Academy of Medicine (Rochester, NY)
- Random Acts of Music
- Royal Academy of Music
- Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabayan (Philippines extremist group)
Meanings of RAM as Slang
RAM is also a slang term used in a few idioms:
- Right Attacking Midfielder (soccer)
- Rage Against the Machine (band)
- Rest Are Mine (when playing hearts online)
- Russo-American Mercantile (Buck Rogers RPG)
- Rapid Arm Movement (breastfeeding technique)
Conclusion
The definition of ram is multifaceted and can either refer to an animal, a type of device used for shoving or battering something, or the act of crushing. This word of the day is also an acronym for random access memory and other definitions.
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Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.
