battalion

[ buh-tal-yuhn ]

noun

1. Military. a ground force unit composed of a headquarters and two or more companies or similar units.
2. an army in battle array.
3. Often battalions. a large number of persons or things; force:

   battalions of bureaucrats.

battalion

/ bəˈtæljən /

noun

1. a military unit comprised of three or more companies or formations of similar size
2. usually plural any large array

Other Words From

• subbat·tali·on noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of battalion¹

1580–90; < Middle French bataillon < Italian battaglione large squadron of soldiers, equivalent to battagli ( a ) battalia ( def ) + -one augmentative suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of battalion¹

C16: from French bataillon , from Old Italian battaglione , from battaglia company of soldiers, battle

Related Words

• army
• contingent
• corps
• legion
• squadron
• unit