Battalion
/bəˈtæl.jən/noun
A large military unit composed of several companies or comparable subunits.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a Romance root meaning “to beat or strike,” the same ancient action behind words for battering and combat.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
battuere
“to beat, strike”
Old French
French
bataille
“a battle, fight, military engagement”
Late Medieval French
French
bataillon
“a body of troops formed for battle”
16th Century
English
battailion / battalion
“a military formation or troop unit”
Modern English
English
battalion
“a large organized military unit”