battalion

noun

bat·​tal·​ion bə-ˈtal-yən 

1

: a considerable body of troops organized to act together : army

2

: a military unit composed of a headquarters and two or more companies, batteries, or similar units

3

: a large group

Synonyms of battalion

• army

Examples of battalion in a Sentence

a battalion of angry protesters

the nation's battalions were forced to fight on two fronts simultaneously

Recent Examples on the Web

The person reviewing his resume was an old acquaintance who was assigned to the same infantry battalion in the army back in 2014 and runs a company that prioritizes hiring veterans to aid in their transition back into civilian life. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2025

Currently, Dermot Mulroney's Dom Pascal serves as Firehouse 51's battalion chief, overseeing a team that includes Taylor Kinney's Kelly Severide, Hanako Greensmith's Violet Mikami, and Jocelyn Hudon's Lizzie Novak. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Nov. 2025

Todd Covington, a Kansas City Fire Department battalion chief, is seeking unspecified monetary damages for allegations of race discrimination and retaliation, according to a Jackson County court petition . —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2025

The Khartiia 13th National Guard Brigade, founded by a Ukrainian billionaire in early 2022 as a volunteer battalion, is based in the northeastern region of Kharkiv. —Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 11 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French bataillon, from Old Italian battaglione, augmentative of battaglia company of soldiers, battle, from Late Latin battalia combat — more at battle entry 1

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for battalion

• italian
• medallion
• scallion
• stallion

Kids Definition

battalion

noun

bat·​tal·​ion bə-ˈtal-yən 

1

: a large body of troops : army

2

: a military unit composed of two or more smaller units (as companies or batteries)

3

: a large body of persons organized to act together