1. A hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
   "Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chattanooga";
   - conflict, fight, engagement
    
2. An energetic attempt to achieve something
   "he fought a battle for recognition";
   - struggle
    
3. An open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
   "police tried to control the battle between the pro- and anti-abortion mobs";
   - conflict, struggle

1. Fight against; clash with
   "they battled over the budget";
   - combat

Derived forms: battled, battling, battles

Type of: action, attempt, effort, endeavor [US], endeavour [Brit, Cdn], fight, group action, military action, struggle, try

Part of: war, warfare

Encyclopedia: Battle, Richard