# battle

/ˈbætəɫ/ (US) · /bˈætəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/battle
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. military fight

noun · CEFR B1

a large fight between two armies or groups during a war.

For teachers: a sustained fight between large organized armed forces, typically part of a larger war or campaign.

- The soldiers prepared for a long battle in the valley.
- Historians argue that the battle was the decisive turning point of the war, forcing the invading army to retreat across the border.

### 2. difficult struggle

noun · CEFR B1

a long and difficult effort to deal with a problem or achieve something.

For teachers: a metaphorical struggle or competition between opposing forces, ideas, or individuals.

- She won her battle against the illness after months of treatment.
- The legal battle over the patent rights lasted for nearly a decade, exhausting the financial resources of both small tech firms.

### 3. to fight or struggle

verb · CEFR B1

to fight against someone or to try very hard to overcome a problem.

For teachers: to engage in a fight or to strive vigorously against an obstacle or opponent.

- Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before it was under control.
- The charity continues to battle against poverty in the region, despite facing significant logistical and political hurdles.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'against' or 'with'.

### 4. fertile land

adjective · CEFR C2 · Dialect · British English

describing land or grass that is very good for feeding animals.

For teachers: referring to pasture or soil that is nutritious for livestock or naturally fertile.

- The sheep grew fat on the battle grass of the valley.
- The farmer noted that the battle soil in the lower fields consistently produced a higher yield than the rocky slopes to the north.

## Examples

- The soldiers prepared for a long battle.
- The local community won a legal battle to stop the construction of a new highway through the park.
- Historians often debate whether the outcome of a single battle can truly alter the trajectory of a civilization or if broader economic forces are more decisive.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.