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)
(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
Infantry Journal7
baseball
: the pitcher and catcher of a team
one of the greatest batteries in baseball history
Synonyms
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
See all Example Sentences for battery 
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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
See all Example Sentences for battery
Articles Related to battery
Dictionary Entries Near battery
Cite this Entry
“Battery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/battery. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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