steamroller — [stēm′rōl΄ər] n. 1. a heavy, originally steam driven, machine with rollers, used in building and repairing roads 2. an overwhelming power or influence, esp. when used relentlessly to force acceptance of a policy, override opposition, etc. vt. 1.… … English World dictionary
steamroller — ► NOUN ▪ a heavy, slow moving vehicle with a roller, used to flatten the surfaces of roads during construction. ► VERB (also steamroll) 1) forcibly pass (a measure) by restricting debate or otherwise overriding opposition. 2) force into doing or… … English terms dictionary
Steamroller — A steamroller (or steam roller) is a form of road roller ndash; a type of heavy construction machinery used for levelling surfaces, such as roads or airfields ndash; that is powered by a steam engine. The levelling/flattening action is achieved… … Wikipedia
steamroller — /steem roh leuhr/, n. 1. a heavy steam powered vehicle having a roller for crushing, compacting, or leveling materials used for a road or the like. 2. (not in technical use) any similar vehicle with a roller. 3. an overpowering force, esp. one… … Universalium
steamroller — [[t]sti͟ːmroʊlə(r)[/t]] steamrollers, steamrollering, steamrollered 1) N COUNT A steamroller is a large, heavy vehicle with wide, solid metal wheels, which is used to make the surface of a road flat. In the past steamrollers were powered by steam … English dictionary
steamroller — I UK [ˈstiːmˌrəʊlə(r)] / US [ˈstɪmˌroʊlər] noun [countable] Word forms steamroller : singular steamroller plural steamrollers 1) a heavy vehicle with very large wide wheels that is used for making a road flat and smooth 2) informal someone or… … English dictionary
steamroller — /ˈstimroʊlə / (say steemrohluh) noun 1. a heavy locomotive, originally steam powered, having a roller or rollers, for crushing or levelling materials in road making. 2. an overpowering force, especially one that crushes opposition with ruthless… …
steamroller — steam•roll•er [[t]ˈstimˌroʊ lər[/t]] n. 1) mac a heavy steam powered vehicle having a roller for crushing, compacting, or leveling materials used for a road or the like 2) (not in technical use) any similar vehicle with a roller 3) an… … From formal English to slang
steamroller — tv. to force something to be approved; to force something to happen. □ He plans to steamroller this bill through Congress, but it just won’t work. □ When you can’t steamroller something, try soft soap … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
steamroller — I. noun Date: 1863 1. a steam driven road roller; broadly road roller 2. a crushing force especially when ruthlessly applied to overcome opposition II. verb or steamroll Date: 1879 transitive verb … New Collegiate Dictionary
