battery

noun bat·tery \ ˈba-t(ə-)rē \

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

Deep beneath the house, behind a four-ton blast door made of steel and concrete, lay a restricted Air Force control center capable of launching a battery of intercontinental ballistic missiles powerful enough to lay waste to the Soviet Union.

— laura reston, New Republic, "Soviet Union," 6 Oct. 2017
The same dynamic is driving fleet orders for the W-15, which can travel 80-100 miles on a single battery charge in its fully electric mode, and is backed up by an internal combustion engine.

— randy tucker, Cincinnati.com, "This is the $50,000 electric pickup truck that will take on Tesla," 21 Sep. 2017
Teeno Hermoso Amparano previously pleaded guilty to hate crime and battery charges stemming from the attack on Sept. 9, the City Attorney’s Office said.

— david hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Man who attacked gay couple in Hillcrest gets probation," 18 Sep. 2017
The ferry connects to a fast charger to top up its batteries when loading and unloading.

— The Economist, "Let’s twist againAs electric motors improve, more things are being electrified," 14 Sep. 2017
In August, a judge issued a no-bond arrest warrant for four new felony hate crime charges and four upgraded felony aggravated battery charges against Boucher, according to the Cook County state's attorney's office and court records.

— amy b wang, chicagotribune.com, "'Shut up, slave!' Fight outside Loop Starbucks leads to felony hate-crime charges," 13 Sep. 2017
Domestic battery charges against a Louisville Metro police officer have been dropped.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Domestic battery charges dropped against Louisville police officer," 13 Sep. 2017
My strategy is to fill pouches with essentials that'll solve any dilemma from a skinned knee to a dead battery.

— jen jones, Redbook, "How to Keep Your Car Organized — For Good," 17 Aug. 2017
The iPhone 7 Plus, for example, takes about three hours to fill its battery.

— stefan vazharov, Esquire, "Review: The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus," 21 Sep. 2016

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.