Battalion

In the US Military, a Battalion is a group of 4-5 companies. Generally, these companies are labeled by Letters, while battalions are labeled by numbers and corps designator, e.g. 327th Signal Battalion.

Bat*tal"ion (-tal"yun; 106), n. [F. bataillon, fr. It. battaglione. See Battalia.]

1.

A body of troops; esp. a body of troops or an army in battle array. "The whole battalion views." Milton.

2. (Mil.)

A regiment, or two or more companies of a regiment, esp. when assembled for drill or battle.

© Webster 1913

Bat*tal"ion (&?;), v. t.

To form into battalions. [R.]

© Webster 1913

Bat*tal"ion (?), n. (Mil.)

An infantry command of two or more companies, which is the tactical unit of the infantry, or the smallest command which is self- supporting upon the battlefield, and also the unit in which the strength of the infantry of an army is expressed.

⇒ In the United States army, since April 29, 1898, a battalion consists of four companies, and three battalions form a regiment. The term is also applied to two or more batteries of artillery combined into a single command.

© Webster 1913