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

Israeli strike kills 12, including several relatives Meanwhile, an Israeli security official said the military called up an additional battalion to Lebanon, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. —Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026

An Israeli security official told The Associated Press the military had called up an additional battalion to join the operations in Lebanon. —Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 26 May 2026

In one video, a battalion commander describes an assault that stalled after encountering a heavily fortified barrier. —Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026

The city settled with Summers, another former battalion chief, four years into his case. —Julia Coin may 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026

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