battle

bat-tle · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A fight between armed forces in a war.

  2. 2.

    A sustained fight or struggle.

  3. 3.

    A difficult or prolonged contest.

  4. 4.

    Fight or struggle against.

  5. 5.

    Compete fiercely.

Forms

plural: battles

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    battle cry — A shout or slogan to rally troops.
  • •
    battle of wits — A contest of intelligence.
  • •
    uphill battle — A difficult struggle.
  • •
    half the battle — A significant part of success.
  • •
    pick your battles — Choose which conflicts to engage in.
  • •
    do battle — Engage in a fight.
  • •
    battle-scarred — Showing signs of many conflicts.
  • •
    battle lines — Opposing positions in a conflict.

Related words

Antonyms: peace, surrender, truce
See also: combat, conflict, fight, war
Synonyms: combat, conflict, fight, struggle

Etymology

From Old French bataille, from Late Latin battalia ("exercise of soldiers, fighting"), from Latin battuere ("to beat").