n.
Pronunciation: b ə - ' tal-y ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French bataillon, from Old Italian battaglione, augmentative of battaglia company of soldiers, battle, from Late Latin battalia combat ― more at BATTLE
Date: 1579
1 : a considerable body of troops organized to act together : ARMY
2 : a military unit composed of a headquarters and two or more companies, batteries, or similar units
3 : a large group