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.
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.
a fight between large armed forces; military or naval engagement; combat
conflict; contention; struggle
his battle for recognition
to start fighting
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, 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.
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
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English batailen, from Middle French bataillier “to provide with batailles; see battlement
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.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Pursuing an adaptation of this caliber feels like a losing battle, something a filmmaker does just to prove that they can.
From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026
If those rains linger, however, that could also affect what is shaping up to be a battle of the ages.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on Friday that Canada has helped the US battle wildfires in California and respond to hurricanes in North Carolina.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
She has decided not to go through the ordeal of a court battle against the doctor.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
Petrol, raw fish, and stale sweat dominated a battle of odors for the stuffy space.
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
This is estimable, but Mr. Westad—with the Battle of the Somme in mind—suggests that there is an even higher morality that might require concessions on those very issues to keep the peace.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
Regina Hall, 55, is an actress known for the films “Scary Movie” and four of its sequels, “Support the Girls” and “One Battle After Another.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
William amasses a mighty army to fight Harold for the crown, and the two sides meet at the Battle of Hastings.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
It marks the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Delville Wood in Longueval, northern France, where several hundred South Africans were killed.
From Barron's ● Jul. 11, 2026
Unfortunately, fighting in the Philippines would continue for several more months after the Battle of Manila; Japan would not surrender until September 2, 1945.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
If Iran was to be defeated or driven to the negotiating table, the battles would need to be won in the air and at sea, U.S. officials have said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
That tension has defined some of the most significant First Amendment battles in American history, including disputes over classified documents, confidential sources and government efforts to identify journalists’ sources.
From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026
Those two Fed chairs are remembered for their epic battles with the legislative branch.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 11, 2026
In previous legal battles, Harry beat the Mirror Group in court, and the News Group out of court, forcing a settlement, damages, payout and apology.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
The clashes over zero were the battles that shook the foundations of philosophy, of science, of mathematics, and of religion.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
Hundreds of French firefighters aided by water bombers on Tuesday battled wildfires that have ravaged a hugely popular forest outside Paris as another scorching heatwave keeps the capital in its grip.
From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026
In 2017, the last time the event was played on this magnificent links on the Merseyside coast, Fleetwood battled superbly after a nervous start to make an Open cut for the first time.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Firefighters covering Devon and Somerset also battled at least four grassland fires on Saturday.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
What’s funny is that as Djokovic has aged and battled, the crowd has really come around.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026
I thought back to my darker days after college when I battled depression and uncertainty, unable to find a job in the corporate world like my friends.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
A firefighter from British Columbia died battling a blaze in Colorado this week.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
Algeria is experiencing an intense summer heatwave with firefighters also battling several wildfires across the north of the country.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
The Angels are accustomed to quickly promoting top talent, but last year’s No. 2 draft pick Tyler Bremner is battling injury and personal hurdles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
With some 850 firefighters battling the flames with the help of specialised Canadair aircraft, authorities are hoping to control the flames during the day, said Paul-Edouard Laurain, spokesman for the regional firefighters.
From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026
Soon after the organization was established, it formed important alliances with legendary women’s rights leaders Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton and other women battling to gain the right to vote.
From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
