battery

noun

bat·​tery ˈba-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce battery (audio)
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 5) 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 batteryInfantry Journal
7
baseball : the pitcher and catcher of a team
one of the greatest batteries in baseball history

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 In a milestone for the sector, employees at an E.V. battery plant in Ohio voted to join the United Automobile Workers union, citing pay and safety issues as key reasons. Aurelien Breeden, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2023 In theory, plug-in hybrids combine the best elements of both gas- and battery-powered vehicles. Greg Fink, Car and Driver, 18 Jan. 2023 But within the past few years, in-bra pumps like Willow started popping up — small, self-contained, battery-powered, and designed to be used hands-free. Allison Johnson, The Verge, 17 Jan. 2023 In December, Hyundai and fellow Korean conglomerate SK Innovation announced a joint EV battery plant in Bartow County, northwest of Atlanta. Zachary Hansen, ajc, 5 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'battery.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of battery was in 1531

Dictionary Entries Near battery

Cite this Entry

“Battery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/battery. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

battery

noun
bat·​tery ˈbat-ə-rē How to pronounce battery (audio)
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
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 How to pronounce battery (audio)
: 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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