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 night also celebrated the anniversary of the city’s adoption of the battalion in 1996, an effort spearheaded by former mayor Wayne Eggleston, who created the Heritage of San Clemente Foundation to benefit local Marines. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2026

The response included two battalion chiefs, two ladder trucks and four fire engines, authorities said. —Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026

But several Israeli officials, including far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, condemned the suspension, and 31 right-wing lawmakers from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition wrote a letter Tuesday, demanding the battalion be redeployed. —Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026

Three fire engines, one fire battalion and four ambulances responded to the scene. —Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 30 Mar. 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