/ ˈbætl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C , U ] a fight between armies, ships or planes, especially during a war; a violent fight between groups of people :
the battle of Waterloo
to be killed in battle
a gun battle
—see also pitched battle
2.
[ C ] battle (with sb) (for sth) a competition, an argument or a struggle between people or groups of people trying to win power or control :
a legal battle for compensation
a battle with an insurance company
a battle of wits (= when each side uses their ability to think quickly to try to win)
a battle of wills (= when each side is very determined to win)
➡ note at campaign
3.
[ C , usually sing. ] battle (against / for sth) a determined effort that sb makes to solve a difficult problem or succeed in a difficult situation :
her long battle against cancer
to fight an uphill battle against prejudice
a battle for survival
•
IDIOMS
- the battle lines are drawn
- do battle (with sb) (over sth)
- half the battle
—more at fight verb , join verb
■ verb
battle (with / against sb/sth) (for sth) to try very hard to achieve sth difficult or to deal with sth unpleasant or dangerous :
[ v ]
She's still battling with a knee injury.
Both teams battled hard.
The two leaders are battling for control of the government.
I had to battle hard just to stay afloat.
[ vn ]
The two sides will battle it out in the final next week.
( NAmE )
He battled cancer for four years.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French bataille (noun), bataillier (verb), based on late Latin battualia military or gladiatorial exercises, from Latin battuere to beat.