battle battle /ˈbætəl/

noun

1. () A hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war  ( conflict , engagement , fight , battle )
   a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
    Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga
   Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga
    He lost his romantic ideas about war when he got into a real engagement
   he lost his romantic ideas about war when he got into a real engagement
   
   
2. () An energetic attempt to achieve something  ( battle , struggle )
   an energetic attempt to achieve something
    Getting through the crowd was a real struggle
   getting through the crowd was a real struggle
    He fought a battle for recognition
   he fought a battle for recognition
   
3. An open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)  ( battle , conflict , struggle )
   an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
    The harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph
   the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph
    Police tried to control the battle between the pro- and anti-abortion mobs
   police tried to control the battle between the pro- and anti-abortion mobs
   

verb

1. () Battle or contend against in or as if in a battle  ( battle , combat )
   battle or contend against in or as if in a battle
    The Kurds are combating Iraqi troops in Northern Iraq
   The Kurds are combating Iraqi troops in Northern Iraq
    We must combat the prejudices against other races
   We must combat the prejudices against other races
    They battled over the budget
   they battled over the budget