battery

noun bat·tery \ ˈba-t(ə-)rē \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Examples: battery in a Sentence

Definition of battery

plural batteries

1 a : the act of beating someone or something with successive blows : the act of battering (see ¹batter 1)

b law : an offensive touching or use of force on a person without the person's consent

evidence that supports a charge of battery

— compare assault 2a

[Middle French batterie, from battre to beat]

military

a : a grouping of artillery pieces for tactical (see tactical 1a(1)) purposes

a battery of cannon from the Revolutionary War

b : the guns of a warship

the starboard battery

3 military : an artillery (see artillery 2b) unit in the army equivalent to a company (see ¹company 2b)

4 a : a combination of apparatus for producing a single electrical effect

a battery of generators

b : a group of two or more cells (see cell 5) connected together to furnish electric current; also : a single cell that furnishes electric current

need to replace the flashlight's batteries

c batteries plural : level of energy or enthusiasm

needs a vacation to recharge her batteries

5 a (1) : a number of similar articles, items, or devices arranged, connected, or used together : set, series

ran through a battery of tests

a battery of filing cabinets

(2) : a series of cages or compartments for raising or fattening poultry —often used before another noun

battery chickens

battery farming

b : a usually impressive or imposing group : array

a battery of specialists

6 : the position of readiness of a gun for firing

the gun would not return to battery
—Infantry Journal

7 baseball : the pitcher and catcher of a team

one of the greatest batteries in baseball history

See battery defined for English-language learners

See battery defined for kids

Examples of battery in a Sentence

I bought new batteries for the flashlights.
The operation was performed by a battery of doctors.

Recent Examples of battery from the Web

He had been arrested before for arson and domestic violence battery, police said.

— faith karimi, CNN, "Orlando officer shot in deadly standoff is fighting for his life, wife says," 14 June 2018
The plan aims to provide 55 percent of the utility’s electricity from renewable sources, such as wind and solar, and grid-scale batteries that store it by 2040.

— rye druzin, San Antonio Express-News, "San Antonio’s CPS Energy holds first public input session on Flex Plan," 14 June 2018
Abraham was arrested for misdemeanor battery and trespassing pursuant to a private person’s arrest.

— aurelie corinthios, PEOPLE.com, "Teen Mom's Farrah Abraham Told Cops 'Go F— Yourself' in Explosive Video Captured During Arrest," 13 June 2018
Coward was convicted in 2013 for substantial battery in Milwaukee County, according to Wisconsin court records.

— karen pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Convicted felon arrested for attempting to purchase gun in Brookfield," 13 June 2018
Lindsey, 35, was on probation and had a criminal history involving arson, battery and theft, court records show.

— benjamin brown, Fox News, "Florida gunman kills 4 kids in hostage standoff before turning gun on himself, police say," 13 June 2018
Scientists think the power level in Opportunity's batteries is below 24 volts.

— tariq malik, NBC News, "As Mars dust storm rages, NASA's Opportunity rover falls silent," 13 June 2018
Stewart was previously charged with aggravated battery and first-degree cruelty to children.

— raisa habersham, ajc, "Man faces murder charge in 1-year-old’s beating death," 13 June 2018
Gregory Battle, 18, of Waukegan, was charged with battery and mob action Tuesday evening after an altercation on South Elmwood Street, according to Waukegan Police Cmdr.

— jim newton, Lake County News-Sun, "Great America battery fugitive jailed without bond after being caught again," 13 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'battery.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of battery

Anglo-French baterie, from batre to beat, from Latin battuere

First Known Use: 1531

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

battery Synonyms

Synonyms

array, band, batch, body, boodle, bunch, cluster, clutch, consort, constellation, crop, group, grouping, huddle, knot, lot, parcel, party, passel;

Near Antonyms

individual, single;

circle, clan, clique, coterie, fellowship, gang, ring, round, set;

faction, guild (also gild), order, school, sect;

brigade, crew, outfit, phalanx, platoon, posse, task force, team;

alliance, bloc, coalition, confederacy, confederation, federation, league, union;

battalion, squadron;

bevy, brood, covey;

Phrases

the whole kit and caboodle;

BATTERY Defined for English Language Learners

battery

noun

Definition of battery for English Language Learners

: a device that is placed inside a machine (such as a clock, toy, or car) to supply it with electricity
: a usually large group of similar people, things, or ideas that work together, are used together, etc.
: a group of two or more big guns used by the military

BATTERY Defined for Kids

battery

noun bat·tery \ ˈba-tə-rē \

Definition of battery for Students

plural batteries

1 : two or more big military guns that are controlled as a unit

2 : an electric cell or connected electric cells for providing electric current

a flashlight battery

3 : a number of similar items or devices grouped together

a battery of tests

4 : an unlawful touching or use of force on a person against his or her will

Medical Dictionary

battery

noun bat·tery \ ˈbat-ə-rē, ˈba-trē \

medical Definition of battery

plural batteries

1 a : a combination of apparatus for producing a single electrical effect

b : a group of two or more cells connected together to furnish electric current; also : a single cell that furnishes electric current

2 : a group or series of tests; especially : a group of intelligence or personality tests given to a subject as an aid in psychological analysis

Law Dictionary

battery

noun bat·tery \ ˈba-tə-rē, -trē \

legal Definition of battery

: the crime or tort of intentionally or recklessly causing offensive physical contact or bodily harm (as by striking or by administering a poison or drug) that is not consented to by the victim — compare assault

— aggravated battery

: criminal battery that is accompanied by aggravating factors: as

a : criminal battery that causes or is intended to cause serious bodily injury especially through the use of a dangerous weapon

b : criminal battery committed on a protected person (as a minor or a police officer) — compare simple battery in this entry

Note: Aggravated battery is usually classified as a felony.

— sexual battery

: intentional and offensive sexual contact and especially sexual intercourse with a person who has not given or (as in the case of a child) is incapable of giving consent; broadly : forced or coerced contact with the sexual parts of either the victim or the perpetrator — see also rape

Note: This is a broad definition of the offense. The specific elements of this crime vary from state to state, and some states use more narrow definitions.

— simple battery

: criminal battery that is not accompanied by aggravating factors (as a dangerous weapon) — compare aggravated battery in this entry

Note: Simple battery is usually classified as a misdemeanor.