Definition of battalionnext
as in army
a large body of men and women organized for land warfare the nation's battalions were forced to fight on two fronts simultaneously

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of battalion In northern Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, Russian forces are reportedly disbanding some tank battalions and reallocating younger servicemembers to drone units, while assigning other personnel to assault units. Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 An Orange County fire battalion chief has been suspended from his post after he was arrested Friday in a prostitution sting by the Altamonte Springs Police Department, Orange County Fire Rescue confirmed Tuesday. Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 Senior staff, including the battalion chief and assistant chief, were on scene as well, directing the response and checking in with the family throughout. Rob Moore, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 Originally constructed in the 1860s to house two battalions of the British Army, Chelsea Barracks served as an important military base for more than 140 years before being decommissioned in 2008. Nick Scott, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for battalion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battalion
army
Noun
  • In other places such as Libya and Somalia, Washington supported the national armies and local militias battling jihadi forces and engaged in whack-a-mole with jihadi leaders.
    Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Nor could Grossman write about collaborators or the punishment battalions composed of convicts that were used as cannon fodder (one of many parallels between the conduct of the Soviet army and the present-day Russian military in Ukraine).
    Nick Holdstock, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Battalion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battalion. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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