battalion

[ buh-tal-yuh n ]

/ bəˈtæl yən /

Military. a ground force unit composed of a headquarters and two or more companies or similar units.

an army in battle array.

Often battalions. a large number of persons or things; force: battalions of bureaucrats.

Origin of battalion

1580–90; < Middle French bataillon < Italian battaglione large squadron of soldiers, equivalent to battagli(a) battalia + -one augmentative suffix

sub·bat·tal·i·on, noun

batsman, batt, batt., battailous, battalia, battalion, battani, batteau, battel, battels, battement

A battalion of riot police armed with shotguns arrived on the scene.

Honoring The Late John Doar, A Nearly Forgotten Hero Of The Civil Rights Era |Gary May |November 15, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Whether Ukrainian authorities have actually investigated the claims against the battalion's commander and its officers is unclear.

Corruption Eats Away at Ukraine Military |Charles McPhedran |October 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Sergei is not the only soldier who has complained about the conduct of the commander and the officers in the 12th Battalion.

Corruption Eats Away at Ukraine Military |Charles McPhedran |October 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Fighter Sergei was hopeful that judicial investigations have begun into the 12th Battalion when I first met him in September.

Corruption Eats Away at Ukraine Military |Charles McPhedran |October 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

The battalion also is short of ammunition, Sergei says, but he insists he would still like to return to battle.

Corruption Eats Away at Ukraine Military |Charles McPhedran |October 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
A regiment of infantry and a battalion of cavalry were put on guard and patrolled the streets to reduce the riotous to order.

From Fort Henry to Corinth |Manning Ferguson Force
The 28th Battalion party, thirty strong, commanded by Capts.

Canada in Flanders, Volume II (of 3) |Lord Max Aitken Beaverbrook
Division had decided otherwise, however, and had ordered up a battalion of the 126th brigade.

The Seventh Manchesters |S. J. Wilson
Once he stepped aside he could not be sure of ever rejoining his battalion.

The Point Of Honor |Joseph Conrad
The duke places his battalion of riflemen at our disposal, and will accept a command in the war.

Louisa Of Prussia and Her Times |Louise Muhlbach

battalion

/ (bəˈtæljən) /

a military unit comprised of three or more companies or formations of similar size

(usually plural) any large array

C16: from French bataillon, from Old Italian battaglione, from battaglia company of soldiers, battle