cache information close 

battle Hear it!

battle1 definition

bat·tle (bat′'l)

noun

  1. a fight, esp. a large-scale engagement, between armed forces on land, at sea, or in the air
  2. armed fighting; combat or war
  3. any fight or struggle; conflict
  4. Archaic a battalion

Etymology: ME & OFr bataille < VL battalia < L battualia, exercises of gladiators and soldiers in fighting and fencing < battuere: see batter

transitive verb battled -·tled, battling -·tling

to oppose as in a battle; fight

intransitive verb

  1. to take part in a battle; fight
  2. to struggle; contend

Related Forms:

battle Idioms

give battle

or do battle
to engage in battle; fight
battle2 definition

bat·tle (bat′'l)

transitive verb battled -·tled, battling -·tling

Archaic to build battlements on

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

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.
Related Discussions (4)
TopicRepliesLatest Post
To win the battle but lose the war1211 months ago
pitched: as in pitched battle94 years ago
The Battle of Bull Run55 years ago
Battle Hymn of the Republic86 years ago

Browse Forums