battalion

noun

bat·​tal·​ion bə-ˈtal-yən How to pronounce battalion (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One’s impression is suddenly modified by the casual strength his handshake conveys, and rightly so, for beneath the elegant lines of his suit are hidden a hard body and the stamina of 10 battalions. Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025 The promo confirms that Burke’s battalion chief Vince died in the memory care building fire where he, along with his wife, Cal Fire Division Chief Sharon (Diane Farr), and his father, retired battalion chief Walter Leone (Jeff Fahey), were trapped with the roof collapsing on them. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025 The soldiers, Major Yaniv Kula, 26, a company commander in the 932nd Battalion of the Nahal Brigade, and Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz, 21, a combat soldier in the same battalion, were both based in Modi’in-Maccabim-Reut. Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025 That leads Luke Leone (Michael Trucco) to bring in a controversial new battalion chief, Brett Richards (Shawn Hatosy) — a man Vince couldn’t stand, according to Sharon. Alamin Yohannes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for battalion

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of battalion was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Battalion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/battalion. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

battalion

noun
bat·​tal·​ion bə-ˈtal-yən How to pronounce battalion (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on battalion

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