battery
B1Neutral (common in all registers from technical to everyday)
Definition
Meaning
A device that stores chemical energy and converts it to electrical energy to power other devices.
1. A series of similar things or events. 2. A fortified artillery emplacement. 3. In law: the criminal offense of physically attacking someone. 4. A group of similar devices operated together (e.g., solar battery). 5. In baseball: the pitcher and catcher considered as a unit.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term bridges concrete objects (AA battery) and abstract concepts (a battery of tests). In law, 'assault and battery' is a fixed collocation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use the same core meanings. The legal term 'battery' is equally common. The 'artillery emplacement' meaning is slightly more prevalent in historical/military UK contexts.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. The primary association is with portable power.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both, driven by ubiquitous technology.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N of N (a battery of tests/questions)N for N (a battery for the remote)V N (charge/replace the battery)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to recharge one's batteries (to rest and regain energy)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The new model boasts a 48-hour battery life, a key selling point."
Academic
"The participants underwent a battery of cognitive assessments."
Everyday
"My phone battery is about to die; I need to find a charger."
Technical
"The lithium-ion battery's cathode composition affects its energy density."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Not a standard verb. Rare/archaic 'to battery' meaning to batter or assault.)
American English
- (Not a standard verb.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form. Use 'on battery power'.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- It's a battery-powered toy.
- They installed battery-operated sensors.
American English
- It's a battery-powered device.
- We use battery-operated lights for the patio.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My torch needs two new batteries.
- The television remote control has a flat battery.
- I forgot to charge my laptop battery last night.
- The car won't start because the battery is dead.
- The new smartphone promises a battery that lasts two full days under normal use.
- As part of the medical, he faced a battery of exhausting physical tests.
- The prosecutor added a charge of battery to the assault indictment.
- The research team developed a novel solid-state battery with significantly reduced charging times.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BAT carrying energy (like electricity) in a little TERRY (sounds like 'tery') cloth pouch – a BAT-TERY.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENERGY IS A STORED LIQUID (e.g., 'battery is full/empty/dead', 'recharge batteries').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'battery' as 'батарея' for a household radiator.
- In legal contexts, 'battery' is not 'батарея' but 'побои' or 'нанесение телесных повреждений'.
- For an artillery battery, the Russian cognate 'батарея' is correct, creating a false friend for other meanings.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect article: 'I need battery' (correct: 'I need a battery'/'I need the battery').
- Confusing 'battery' (device) with 'charge' (the process/amount of energy).
- Using plural unnecessarily: 'My phone needs new batteries' (if it takes one unit).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'battery' NOT refer to a source of electrical power?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically, a 'cell' is a single electrochemical unit (e.g., a AA 'battery' is actually a single cell). A 'battery' is a collection of cells working together. In everyday usage, single units like AA are called batteries.
It is a countable noun. You can have a battery, two batteries, etc. The concept itself (battery power) is uncountable.
It comes from the same root as 'batter' (to beat), originating from Old French 'baterie' (beating). It denotes a beating or unlawful physical attack.
In legal terms, 'assault' is the threat or attempt to inflict physical harm, while 'battery' is the actual unlawful physical contact or harm. They are often charged together.
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Technology Basics
A2 · 48 words · Everyday technology and digital devices.
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