battle
noun
a hostile encounter or engagement between opposing military forces.
battle
1 American
[bat-l]
/ ˈbæt l /
noun
-
battles
plural
-
a hostile encounter or engagement between opposing military forces.
the battle of Waterloo.
-
participation in such hostile encounters or engagements.
wounds received in battle.
-
a fight between two persons or animals.
ordering a trial by battle to settle the dispute.
-
any conflict or struggle.
a battle for control of the Senate.
-
Archaic. a battalion.
verb (used without object)
battled,
battling
verb (used with object)
battled,
battling
-
to fight (a person, army, cause, etc.).
We battled strong winds and heavy rains in our small boat.
-
to force or accomplish by fighting, struggling, etc..
He battled his way to the top of his profession.
idioms
battle
2
American
[bat-l]
/ ˈbæt l /
verb (used with object)
Archaic.
battled,
battling
battle
1
British
/ ˈbætəl /
noun
-
a fight between large armed forces; military or naval engagement; combat
-
conflict; contention; struggle
his battle for recognition
-
to start fighting
verb
-
to fight in or as if in military combat; contend (with)
she battled against cancer
-
to struggle in order to achieve something or arrive somewhere
he battled through the crowd
-
(intr) to scrape a living, esp by doing odd jobs
Battle
2
British
/ ˈbætəl /
noun
Battle
3
British
/ ˈbætəl /
noun
battle
More Idioms
Synonym Usage
Battle, action, skirmish mean a conflict between organized armed forces. A battle is a prolonged and general conflict pursued to a definite decision: the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. A skirmish is a slight engagement, often on the periphery of an area of battle: several minor skirmishes. An action can be a battle or a skirmish or can refer to actual fighting or combat: a major military action; action along the border; He saw action in the campaign.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of battle1
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English batail(le), batal, from Old French bataille, from Vulgar Latin battālia (unrecorded) for Late Latin battuālia (neuter plural) “gladiatorial exercises,” equivalent to battu(ere) “to strike” + -ālia, neuter plural of -ālis adjective suffix; see also -al 2, bate 2
Origin of battle2
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English batailen, from Middle French bataillier “to provide with batailles; see battlement
Explanation
A battle is an open struggle, usually between two groups — like a baseball championship game or a food fight. The word battle is often used in opposition to war, a series of battles. Perhaps you have heard someone tell you, after winning the first of many dance competitions, "You may have won the battle, but you haven’t won the war!" A battle doesn’t have to occur between two individuals or groups. You may endure an inner battle to cut down on junk food. If you skip those fries for lunch today, then you have won a small battle.
Vocabulary lists containing battle
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"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Act V
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Longtime Rep. Ken Calvert has survived a fierce reelection battle against fellow Republican Rep. Young Kim to represent a newly drawn Southern California congressional district.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 2026
“Especially if they get a bad grade,” she added, “the parents go to battle for them.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2026
“Where’s the upside? Where’s the consumer upside? You know, the battle right now is over commission fees, and who gets a piece. And I think that’s gross, and I’m in this business.”
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 9, 2026
"I wouldn't call it a life. It's just a 24/7 battle," she said.
From Barron's ● Nov. 9, 2026
“Brandy. Union officers would take a sip after a battle won.”
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
In recent years, Roundabout has worked on major projects, including recent Oscar winner “One Battle After Another,” the 50th anniversary restoration of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and Netflix’s animated comedy “Leo.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026
"He was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery at the Battle of the Somme. He was mentioned in despatches on a number of occasions as well."
From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026
In December 1944, Trautman—who had by this time been promoted to lieutenant colonel—was trapped behind enemy lines during the Battle of the Bulge.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
The 1966 Battle of Hastings re-enactment that got real.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026
Most of the American army had managed to survive the Battle of Brooklyn.
From I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 by Lauren Tarshis
Lamarco and his firm have previously been drawn into court battles involving celebrity attorney Alex Spiro, and once generated a few media headlines after Lamarco challenged late-night host Jimmy Fallon to a $1 million bet.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 10, 2026
Former US president Joe Biden says he is scaling back plans to promote his upcoming memoir as he battles aggressive prostate cancer, acknowledging that the illness sometimes leaves him struggling.
From Barron's ● Nov. 9, 2026
And while David Lean might have the edge in recreating African battles, Mr. Baudry creates two extended sequences that are emotionally exhilarating, and pivotal in the restoration of French pride.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
Travelers described lost loved ones, personal tragedies and battles with insecurity, regret and doubts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026
On December 7, 1950, I was going to put all battles aside and celebrate my birthday.
From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals
Wiles recently battled cancer, announcing in September, six months after her diagnosis, that she was in remission.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
At the restart, Leclerc locked his left front wheel heavily as Verstappen and Hamilton battled for the lead in front of him, and Antonelli passed him at the start of the next lap.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026
Working with the U.S. law firm Covington & Burling LLP, Naftogaz battled in the courts for nearly a decade with no result.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026
Immigration lawyers say their clients are facing more intense scrutiny and that some have battled false accusations of fraud after applying for a green card or citizenship.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
Mushrooms that battled infection made his undead blood rush a little faster.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
"You're battling at the time with the diagnosis and the treatment and the surgery and how that's going to impact you," Jo explains.
From BBC ● Nov. 8, 2026
Ford is battling slowing sales with plans for a raft of more affordable models and its much-hyped Fathom electric pickup truck, designed to rival the low-cost and high-tech sheen of Chinese EVs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 7, 2026
“It is one thing to have confidence when you are leading or battling for first place in an industry you are well positioned to win long term,” Fishman said.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026
“You truly feel like a kid and you’ve imagined yourself more grown up battling in some fantastical place,” the actor says.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
Domingo was battling legend, and it was destroying him.
From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman
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