plural battles
1
a
: a military fight between groups of soldiers, ships, airplanes, etc.
That two-day conflict has become one of the most famous battles in history.
The battle continued late into the night.
the battle of Gettysburg
The men never spoke of the difficulties of battle. [=war]
Hundreds of dead soldiers lay on the field of battle. [=the battlefield]
the brave warriors who died/fell in battle [=while fighting in a war]
Thousands of soldiers were willing to go into battle to fight the enemy.
b
: a violent fight in which people use weapons
A police officer was injured in a gun battle that took place last night.
2
a
: a fight between people or groups in which each side tries to win a contest (such as a game or an election) or to gain control of something (such as a company)
The divorced couple is now in a fierce custody battle over their son. [=a legal fight about who their son will live with]
The company was involved in a legal battle with/against one of its employees.
He has been engaged in a running battle [=a fight or disagreement that continues for a long time] with the government over the amount of money he owes in taxes.
—often + forThey are engaged in a battle for the presidency. [=a fight to win an election and become the president]
a battle for control of the land
—often followed by to + verba battle to control the land
Note: A battle of wits is a contest in which each side tries to win by being smarter or cleverer than the other side.
Note: A battle of wills is a contest in which each side tries to win by refusing to stop trying.
b
: a fight between two different or opposite forces
the never-ending battle between/of good and evil
The comedy is a classic treatment of the battle of the sexes. [=the struggle for power between women and men]
3
: a long struggle to succeed or survive during a difficult situation
Last year, he lost his 10-year battle with/against AIDS. [=he died of AIDS after being sick with the disease for 10 years]
Starting her own business has proven to be an uphill battle. [=a very difficult struggle]
Note: If you are involved in a losing battle you are trying to do something with little or no chance of success.
battles; battled; battling
1
: to fight with weapons
The army battled for control of the bridge.
The battling armies agreed to a truce.
2
a
: to try or struggle very hard to do something
The team battled [=fought] bravely to win their last game.
They battled [=struggled] to keep their son out of jail.
: to struggle or fight for something
The two families have battled for control of the land for many years.
b
: to fight or argue with someone over something
The couple battled fiercely over how to spend their money.
3
a
: to fight, compete, or argue with (someone or something)
The two teams are set to battle each other for the championship.
Members of both parties continue to battle the governor over her policies.
b
: to try to stop or defeat (something)
Hundreds of firefighters came to help battle the forest fire.
People often need help battling their drug and alcohol problems.
She's been battling cancer for 10 years.
battling the forces of evil
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/battle. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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