battery

noun

bat·tery | \ ˈba-t(ə-)rē

plural batteries

Definition of battery

1a : the act of beating someone or something with successive blows : the act of battering (see batter entry 1 sense 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 entry 1 sense 2a

2 [ Middle French batterie, from battre to beat ] military

a : a grouping of artillery pieces for tactical (see tactical sense 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 sense 2b) unit in the army equivalent to a company (see company entry 1 sense 2b)

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

b : a group of two or more cells (see cell sense 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

5a(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 chickensbattery 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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about battery

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Examples of battery in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

But more importantly, how good is your phone battery? — Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY, "Cutting the cord with Vizio's new V436 TV," 8 Aug. 2019 The connection doesn't seem to slow things down on my phone or eat my battery, and the list of trackers the app has blocked is constantly growing—310 location trackers, seven page hijackers, and 3,200 data trackers so far. — Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, "An iPhone App That Protects Your Privacy—For Real This Time," 31 July 2019 There are also 12-volt versions that run off your car or truck battery, which is useful when working out in the field. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How To Sharpen Your Chainsaw Like a Pro," 24 July 2019 Sheriff's sergeant Jason Foster told KARE 11 that the two-and-a-half year old decided to take his battery powered John Deere tractor to the county fair without asking his parents. — Danny Hermosillo, Houston Chronicle, "Toddler takes his toy tractor for a spin to county fair in Minnesota," 19 July 2019 Our battery, e-motors, and transmission each operate at up to 98% efficiency. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "The first all-new Lotus in years will be a 1,971hp electric car," 16 July 2019 Shaw told a school district investigator that his laptop was displaying an inappropriate video when its battery died days several days prior. — Josh Verges, Twin Cities, "St. Paul teacher suspended after student records pornographic website displayed on teacher’s laptop," 12 July 2019 Have a conversation with your manager about which work charges your batteries and which depletes them. — Sarah Todd, Quartz at Work, "Going on vacation won’t cure your burnout," 9 July 2019 Maybe the All-Star break and the Home Run Derby will recharge his batteries and take some of the pressure off. — Jon Tayler, SI.com, "The Home Run Derby Field Looks Loaded," 2 July 2019

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.

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More Definitions for battery

battery

noun

English Language Learners Definition of battery

: 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

See the full definition for battery in the English Language Learners Dictionary

battery

noun

bat·tery | \ ˈba-tə-rē

plural batteries

Kids Definition of battery

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

battery

noun

bat·tery | \ ˈbat-ə-rē, ˈba-trē

plural batteries

Medical Definition of battery

1a : 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

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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.