Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » battle

battle

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of a battle is a fight or conflict with or without weapons.

(noun)

An alcoholic trying to stay sober is an example of a battle with alcoholism.
The British-American War of 1812 is an example of a famous battle.

Battle is defined as to fight someone or something with or without weapons.

(verb)

An example of a person who battles is one who has a video game match with a friend.
A person who has cancer and is doing everything they can to beat it is an example of someone who battles their disease.

See battle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

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

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

transitive verb battled, battling

to oppose as in a battle; fight

intransitive verb

to take part in a battle; fight
to struggle; contend

Related Forms:

battler noun

transitive verb battled, battling

Archaic to build battlements on

See battle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. An encounter between opposing forces: an important battle in the Pacific campaign.
b. Armed fighting; combat: wounded in battle.
A match between two combatants: trial by battle.
a. A protracted controversy or struggle: won the battle of the budget.
b. An intense competition: a battle of wits.

verb bat·tled, bat·tling, bat·tles

verb, intransitive

To engage in or as if in battle.

verb, transitive

To fight against: battled the enemy; battled cancer.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English batel

Origin: , from Old French bataille

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *battālia

Origin: , from Late Latin battuālia, fighting and fencing exercises

Origin: , from Latin battuere, to beat

Related Forms:

batˈtler noun

A town of southeast England northwest of Hastings, near the site of the Battle of Hastings (1066). William the Conqueror built Battle Abbey to commemorate his victory here. Population: 4,987.

Learn more about battle

battle synonyms

battle phrase meanings

battle in a sentence

battle quotes

battle images