battery
Battery (noun) means a device that stores and supplies electrical power, made of one or more cells. Example: “The remote control needs new batteries.”
How to Use Battery
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly the power source in a device; in law, the crime of physically attacking someone; more generally, a coordinated set or series of things.
In law, "assault" is the threat of violence and "battery" is the actual physical contact — they're often charged together but mean different things.
Word Forms
batteries plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was charged with assault and _____ after the bar fight.
Etymology
From French batterie, "a beating," from Latin battuo, "to beat." Benjamin Franklin later borrowed the military "battery" (a row of guns) as the name for a connected row of electrical cells, and the name stuck.
Related Words
Rhymes for battery
See all rhymes for battery →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “battery” mean?
The word “battery” means a device that stores and supplies electrical power, made of one or more cells. In plain terms, most commonly the power source in a device; in law, the crime of physically attacking someone; more generally, a coordinated set or series of things.
How do you pronounce “battery”?
“Battery” is pronounced BAT-ree (/ˈbæt.əɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “battery” in a sentence?
Here is “battery” used in a sentence: “He was charged with assault and battery after the bar fight.”
What part of speech is “battery”?
“Battery” is a noun.
Where does the word “battery” come from?
The word “battery” comes from Latin. From French batterie, "a beating," from Latin battuo, "to beat." Benjamin Franklin later borrowed the military "battery" (a row of guns) as the name for a connected row of electrical cells, and the name stuck.
Is “battery” a common word?
“Battery” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “battery” have?
“Battery” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device that stores and supplies electrical power, made of one or more cells.
What are the types of batteries?
Batteries fall into two broad groups: single-use, or primary, batteries like the alkaline AA cells in remotes, and rechargeable, or secondary, batteries like the lithium-ion packs in phones and electric cars. Common chemistries include alkaline, lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride, and lead-acid, each suited to different power needs and costs.
How does a battery work?
A battery stores energy in chemical form and releases it as electricity through a reaction between its internal parts. Each cell has two electrodes and an electrolyte; when connected in a circuit, chemical reactions push electrons from one electrode to the other, creating a current that powers your device.
Why is my battery draining so fast?
Batteries drain faster with heavy use, bright screens, many background apps, poor signal, and cold or hot temperatures. Age also matters, since rechargeable batteries lose capacity over hundreds of charge cycles. Closing unused apps, lowering brightness, and avoiding extreme temperatures can all help a battery last longer between charges.
What is the difference between a battery and a cell?
A cell is a single unit that produces electricity through one chemical reaction, while a battery is one or more cells packaged together. A single AA is technically a cell, whereas a car battery contains several cells combined to deliver higher voltage. In everyday speech, people call both 'batteries.'