battery
BAT-ree
Battery (noun) means a device that stores and supplies electrical power, made of one or more cells. Example: “The remote control needs new batteries.”
noun
1
A device that stores and supplies electrical power, made of one or more cells.
"The remote control needs new batteries."
"My phone battery runs out before the end of the day."
"Always take the battery out of a toy you will not use for months."
2
A legal term for unlawfully touching or striking another person.
"He was charged with assault and battery after the bar fight."
"The court heard that the man was accused of battery after pushing a stranger."
"Battery is a crime, even if the victim is not badly hurt."
3
A group of similar things, especially artillery guns, arranged or used together.
"The soldiers set up a battery of guns on the ridge."
"She underwent a battery of medical tests."
"The teacher gave the class a battery of questions about the story."
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.
Common mistake
In law, "assault" is the threat of violence and "battery" is the actual physical contact — they're often charged together but mean different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
assault and battery
battery life
a battery of tests
rechargeable battery
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Word forms
- Plural
- batteries
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My phone _____ runs out before the end of the day.
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.
Synonyms
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cell
power cell
power pack
accumulator
power source
bombardment
barrage
shelling
barrage fire
stamp battery
electric battery
assault and battery
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.'
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