noun
battle
BATL
noun
1
A fight between opposing armed forces, especially as part of a larger war.
"The battle raged for three days before either side retreated."
2
A prolonged, difficult struggle or contest of any kind.
"She fought a long battle with illness."
"The two companies are locked in a legal battle over the patent."
verb
1
To fight or struggle against someone or something.
"Firefighters battled the blaze for hours."
How to Use Battle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn armed fight, or, more broadly, any hard struggle or contest.
Common pairings
fight a battle
battle against the odds
losing battle
Word Forms
more battle comparative, battled past tense, battled past tense, battles singular, battles singular, most battle superlative
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The _____ raged for three days before either side retreated.
Etymology
From Old French bataille, ultimately from Latin battuo, "to beat or strike."