battalion

[buh-tal-yuhn]

noun

1. Military.,  a ground force unit composed of a headquarters and two or more companies or similar units.

2. an army in battle array.

3. Often battalions. a large number of persons or things; force.

   battalions of bureaucrats.

battalion

/ bəˈtæljən /

noun

1. a military unit comprised of three or more companies or formations of similar size

2. (usually plural) any large array

Other Word Forms

• subbattalion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of battalion¹

1580–90; < Middle French bataillon < Italian battaglione large squadron of soldiers, equivalent to battagli ( a ) battalia ( def. ) + -one augmentative suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of battalion¹

C16: from French bataillon , from Old Italian battaglione , from battaglia company of soldiers, _battle

Example Sentences

At least one battalion chief assigned to the LAFD’s risk management section has known for months that crews had complained about hot spots after the Lachman fire.

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Robertson said his legal team also interviewed an L.A. firefighter who was on the burn scar on the morning of Jan. 2, who said a battalion chief told him to roll up hoses and leave.

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At least one battalion chief assigned to LAFD’s risk management section knew about the complaints for months, The Times found.

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A house in the city would be leased, a battalion of servants would be installed, and Lady Constance would be given a generous shopping allowance to boot.

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Park grilled Moore on reporting by The Times that firefighters warned a battalion chief about the Lachman fire not being fully extinguished.

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Related Words

• army 
• contingent 
• corps 
• legion 
• squadron 
• unit