battery

noun

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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

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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 Fahrenheit, which can damage Ingenuity's battery and electrical components. — Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, "Ingenuity Helicopter Survives Its First Night on Mars," 6 Apr. 2021 In a civil lawsuit, filed March 4 in Los Angeles where the couple also had a home, Hanks accused Parker of assault, battery and stealing money and property worth almost $20,000. — Maria Puente, USA TODAY, "Chet Hanks' ex-girlfriend gets protective order against him after dispute in Texas," 1 Apr. 2021 The bill would only apply to certain violent crimes, such as murder, battery and assault. — John Moritz, Arkansas Online, "Legislative leaders file ‘class-protection bill’," 1 Apr. 2021 Parker filed a police report after the incident and Hanks subsequently sued her for assault and battery and theft. — Matt Young, Chron, "How a Sugar Land restraining order may end Chet Hanks' White Boy Summer," 31 Mar. 2021 Police that evening announced the arrest of 32-year-old Jorge Devis-Milton in connection with the battery of Yu Chang and a stabbing of a 64-year-old white man that same day. — Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, "A wave of crimes against S.F.'s AAPI community are winding through the courts. Here's where they stand," 31 Mar. 2021 In 2015, Leach pleaded guilty to five charges in the 2012 case, including assault and battery and firearms violations, court documents show. — BostonGlobe.com, "Armed robbery suspect whom State Police shot and killed had troubled past; family believed it was behind him," 27 Mar. 2021 The only place the Remington stumbled was in battery and aesthetics. — Kai Burkhardt, CNN Underscored, "The best beard trimmers of 2021," 26 Mar. 2021 McBarnette has been charged with simple battery and criminal trespass to property, both misdemeanors, according to online records. — Henri Hollis, ajc, "Athens police officer placed on leave following arrest," 23 Mar. 2021

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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Last Updated

10 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Battery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/battery. Accessed 21 Apr. 2021.

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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.