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

• 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

White soldiers were reluctant to serve alongside the largely Black battalion, so the Harlem Hellfighters fought alongside the Allied French, fighting off enemy soldiers and becoming the first unit to reach the Rhine River. —Alana Wise, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025

The officer Hamilton had attempted to assist was removed from the battalion command list. —Davis Winkie, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025

The management staff includes one fire chief, one deputy chief, one administrative battalion chief and three deputy battalion chiefs. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025

The career infantry officer has commanded at every level from platoon to battalion. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 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