Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

battle-ax

noun
bat·​tle-ax | \ ˈba-tᵊl-ˌaks \
variants: or battle-axe

Definition of battle-ax

1 : a broadax formerly used as a weapon of war
2 : a usually older woman who is sharp-tongued, domineering, or combative

First Known Use of battle-ax

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about battle-ax

Statistics for battle-ax

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for battle-ax

The first known use of battle-ax was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for battle-ax

battle-ax

noun

English Language Learners Definition of battle-ax

: an ax with a large blade that was used as a weapon in the past
informal + disapproving : an unpleasant older woman who speaks in an angry way and tries to control others

See the full definition for battle-ax in the English Language Learners Dictionary

battle-ax

noun
bat·​tle-ax
variants: or battle-axe \ ˈba-​tᵊl-​ˌaks \

Kids Definition of battle-ax

: an ax with a broad blade formerly used as a weapon

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on battle-ax

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with battle-ax

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for battle-ax

Spanish Central: Translation of battle-ax

Comments on battle-ax

What made you want to look up battle-ax? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

chockablock

very full or close together

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

What did you just call me?! A Quiz

  • rows-of-various-emoji
  • If a member of the audience describes your speech as bombastic, does that person mean it is:
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

TRENDING NOW

  1. crosshair Roger Stone posts controversial photo

  2. feckless Former RNC chair derides Trump

  3. emergency, national emergency Trump declares crisis over wall

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games