battalion Hear it!

battalion definition

bat·tal·ion (bə tal′yən)

noun

  1. a large group of soldiers arrayed for battle
  2. any large group joined together in some activity
  3. U.S. Army a tactical unit made up of three or more companies, batteries, or analogous units: it is normally commanded by a lieutenant colonel and is the basic building unit of a division

Etymology: MFr bataillon < It battaglione < battaglia < VL battalia, battle

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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