battery

noun

bat·​tery ˈba-t(ə-)rē 

plural batteries

1

a

: the act of beating someone or something with successive blows : the act of battering (see batter entry 1 sense 1)

b

law : an offensive touching or use of force on a person without the person's consent

evidence that supports a charge of battery

compare assault entry 1 sense 2a

2

[Middle French batterie, from battre to beat] military

a

: a grouping of artillery pieces for tactical (see tactical sense 1a(1)) purposes

a battery of cannon from the Revolutionary War

b

: the guns of a warship

the starboard battery

3

military : an artillery (see artillery sense 2b) unit in the army equivalent to a company (see company entry 1 sense 2b)

4

a

: a combination of apparatus for producing a single electrical effect

a battery of generators

b

: a group of two or more cells (see cell sense 6) connected together to furnish electric current

also : a single cell that furnishes electric current

need to replace the flashlight's batteries

c

batteries plural : level of energy or enthusiasm

needs a vacation to recharge her batteries

5

a(1)

: a number of similar articles, items, or devices arranged, connected, or used together : set, series

ran through a battery of tests

a battery of filing cabinets

(2)

: a series of cages or compartments for raising or fattening poultry

—often used before another noun

battery chickens

battery farming

b

: a usually impressive or imposing group : array

a battery of specialists

6

: the position of readiness of a gun for firing

the gun would not return to battery

—Infantry Journal

7

baseball : the pitcher and catcher of a team

one of the greatest batteries in baseball history

Synonyms

• array
• assemblage
• band
• bank
• batch
• block
• bunch
• clot
• clump
• cluster
• clutch
• collection
• constellation
• group
• grouping
• huddle
• knot
• lot
• muster
• package
• parcel
• passel
• set
• suite

Examples of battery in a Sentence

I bought new batteries for the flashlights.

The operation was performed by a battery of doctors.

Recent Examples on the Web

But the company expects to be rapidly increasing its EV supply and offerings, with a new battery plant that opened last year, two more under construction and a fourth planned soon. —Chris Isidore, CNN, 31 Jan. 2023

One in 25 cars on the road are currently battery-powered, estimates Moto, rising to a third of all cars by 2030 and four in five by 2040. —Carlton Reid, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2023

The charge would make up for declining revenue from the state’s gas tax, as drivers switch to more fuel-efficient and battery-powered vehicles. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2023

Heck, there’s a new GM battery plant being built just down the road. —Detroit Free Press, 25 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French baterie, from batre to beat, from Latin battuere

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing battery

• AAA battery
• AA battery
• alkaline battery
• assault and battery
• dead battery
• double-A battery
• flat battery
• lithium-ion battery
• solar battery
• storage battery
• triple-A battery

Kids Definition

battery

noun

bat·​tery ˈbat-ə-rē 

ˈba-trē

plural batteries

1

a

: the act of beating

b

: the unlawful beating or use of force upon a person

2

: two or more big military guns that are controlled as a unit

3

: an electric cell or connected electric cells for providing electric current

a flashlight battery

4

: a number of similar articles, items, or devices arranged, connected, or used together

a battery of tests

5

: the pitcher and catcher of a baseball team

Medical Definition

battery

noun

bat·​tery ˈbat-ə-rē, ˈba-trē 

plural batteries

1

a

: a combination of apparatus for producing a single electrical effect

b

: a group of two or more cells connected together to furnish electric current

also : a single cell that furnishes electric current

2

: a group or series of tests

especially : a group of intelligence or personality tests given to a subject as an aid in psychological analysis

Legal Definition

battery

noun

bat·​tery ˈba-tə-rē, -trē 

: the crime or tort of intentionally or recklessly causing offensive physical contact or bodily harm (as by striking or by administering a poison or drug) that is not consented to by the victim compare assault

— aggravated battery

: criminal battery that is accompanied by aggravating factors: as

a : criminal battery that causes or is intended to cause serious bodily injury especially through the use of a dangerous weapon

b : criminal battery committed on a protected person (as a minor or a police officer) compare simple battery in this entry

Note: Aggravated battery is usually classified as a felony.

— sexual battery

: intentional and offensive sexual contact and especially sexual intercourse with a person who has not given or (as in the case of a child) is incapable of giving consent

broadly : forced or coerced contact with the sexual parts of either the victim or the perpetrator see also rape

Note: This is a broad definition of the offense. The specific elements of this crime vary from state to state, and some states use more narrow definitions.

— simple battery

: criminal battery that is not accompanied by aggravating factors (as a dangerous weapon) compare aggravated battery in this entry

Note: Simple battery is usually classified as a misdemeanor.

Etymology

Old French batterie beating, from battre to beat, from Latin battuere