battery
/ˈbætri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbætəri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈba-t(ə-)rē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈbæt.ər.i/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbæt̬.ɚ.i/ (ame, ipa)
battery — noun
1. a small object, or a larger sealed unit, that stores chemical energy and release
a small object, or a larger sealed unit, that stores chemical energy and releases it as electricity to power things like phones, torches, watches, or cars.
Kenji changed the battery in the smoke alarm before going to bed.
the battery in [device]
My phone battery dies by lunchtime if I watch videos on the train.
phone battery dies — common informal collocation
The torch took four AA batteries, but Viraj only had two left in the drawer.
Electric cars use a large battery pack stored under the floor of the vehicle.
Grandpa's old wall clock stopped because the battery had finally run out.
- cell
more technical; one cell is a single unit, while a battery is often several cells together
- power pack
informal, refers to a portable charger or battery module
文法句型
a battery for [device]
run on batteries
用法筆記
Often used in the plural for small replaceable cells (AA, AAA) and in the singular for a single sealed unit (a car battery, a phone battery). Common verbs: charge, replace, change, run out, die.
常見錯誤
2. a fairly large set of related machines, tools, tests, or questions that are used
a fairly large set of related machines, tools, tests, or questions that are used or carried out together as one organised collection.
The doctors ran a battery of blood tests before they could give Rashida a clear diagnosis.
a battery of tests — frequent collocation
Reporters fired a battery of questions at the mayor as she left the courthouse.
a battery of questions
The new kitchen came with a whole battery of gadgets that Helen had no idea how to use.
Job applicants must complete a battery of personality assessments before the final interview.
文法句型
a battery of [plural noun]
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the pattern 'a battery of + plural noun'. Object is normally something formal, organised, or impressive in number — tests, questions, lights, machines, lawyers — not just any random group.
常見錯誤
3. a set of heavy guns, missile launchers, or similar weapons positioned and fired
a set of heavy guns, missile launchers, or similar weapons positioned and fired together as a single unit, or the army group that operates them.
The coastal battery opened fire on enemy ships as soon as they entered the harbour.
coastal / shore battery
Captain Reyes commanded an anti-aircraft battery stationed on the hillside above the airfield.
anti-aircraft battery
The army moved a battery of howitzers into position before sunrise.
Two missile batteries near the border were destroyed during the night raid.
- artillery unit
more general military term for a group that operates heavy guns
- emplacement
focuses on the prepared position rather than the guns or the soldiers
文法句型
an artillery battery
a battery of [guns]
用法筆記
Refers to both the weapons themselves and the unit of soldiers operating them — context decides which is meant. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is specifically military, while sense 2 covers any large organised set.
4. in law, the offence of touching or hitting another person on purpose without the
in law, the offence of touching or hitting another person on purpose without their agreement, whether or not the person ends up hurt; often charged together with assault.
Mr. Hayes was charged with assault and battery after the fight outside the bar.
assault and battery — fixed legal phrase
The judge sentenced the defendant to two years in prison for battery against an elderly neighbour.
battery against [victim]
Under state law, spitting at someone can count as battery, even if no one is injured.
The footballer faced a battery charge after grabbing a referee by the collar during the match.
- assault
in everyday English they overlap, but legally assault is often the threat and battery is the actual contact
- physical attack
everyday equivalent; not used in courtroom language
文法句型
assault and battery
charged with battery
用法筆記
A legal term, almost always in formal or news writing. Distinguish from 'assault': in many systems assault is the threat or attempt, while battery is the actual physical contact. Often combined as 'assault and battery'.
常見錯誤
5. in baseball, the pitcher and the catcher considered together as one working pair
in baseball, the pitcher and the catcher considered together as one working pair, since they have to plan and signal every pitch as a team.
The Tigers' battery of Hernandez and Park has shut out three teams this month.
the battery of [pitcher] and [catcher]
Coach Diaz said the young battery worked well together despite their age difference.
the battery (pitcher + catcher) as a unit
Reporters spent the whole press conference asking about changes to the starting battery.
A good battery can disguise pitches so the batter never knows what is coming.
- pitcher–catcher pair
plain-English description; clearer for non-baseball audiences
文法句型
the battery
用法筆記
Specialist baseball term; outside sports writing or commentary, learners are unlikely to meet or need it. Always treated as a single unit even though it refers to two players.
battery — adjective
1. describing a way of farming chickens in which huge numbers of birds are kept tig
describing a way of farming chickens in which huge numbers of birds are kept tightly packed inside long lines of tiny wire boxes, so eggs can be produced very cheaply and on a massive scale.
Many shoppers in Britain now refuse to buy battery eggs and pay extra for free-range ones.
battery eggs — contrast with free-range
The farm switched away from battery hens after a documentary upset its main customers.
battery hens / battery chickens
Animal-rights groups have campaigned for years to ban battery cages across the European Union.
Visitors to the old battery farm could smell the place from half a kilometre down the road.
- factory-farmed
broader term covering many animals, not only chickens
- caged
neutral description focused on the cage rather than the system
- free-range
the standard ethical opposite for chickens and eggs
- cage-free
specifically marketed as the opposite of 'battery'
文法句型
battery + chicken / hen / egg / farm
用法筆記
Used only before a noun (battery hens, battery eggs, battery farm) and almost always with negative or critical connotations in modern British usage. Contrast with 'free-range' and 'cage-free'.