battle cry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Literary, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “battle cry” mean?
A shout or slogan used by soldiers in battle to rally courage and intimidate the enemy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A shout or slogan used by soldiers in battle to rally courage and intimidate the enemy.
A phrase, slogan, or principle used to rally support for a cause, movement, or campaign, often expressing a core belief or goal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent as two words.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American media and political discourse, but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “battle cry” in a Sentence
The battle cry of [movement/cause]Adopt [something] as a battle cry[Something] became a battle cryRally to the battle cry ofVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “battle cry” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The protesters battle-cried their demands outside Parliament.
- He battle-cried for reform throughout his career.
American English
- The activists battle-cried for change at the rally.
- She battle-cried against the policy in every meeting.
adjective
British English
- The speech had a battle-cry quality that energised the crowd.
- He adopted a battle-cry tone for the manifesto.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"Innovate or die" became the CEO's battle cry for the struggling tech division.
Academic
The scholar's paper examined how 'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity' evolved from a revolutionary battle cry into a constitutional principle.
Everyday
For our local environmental group, 'Save the park' is more than a sign; it's our battle cry.
Technical
In military history, the study of specific battle cries can reveal unit cohesion and psychological warfare tactics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “battle cry”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “battle cry”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “battle cry”
- Spelling as one word: 'battlecry' (incorrect).
- Using it for a quiet or personal motto without a collective, rallying aspect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its origin is literal (war), it is now most commonly used metaphorically for any passionate slogan supporting a cause, like in politics, sports, or business.
Yes, but it is rare and stylistically marked (usually hyphenated: 'to battle-cry'). It means to proclaim something as or like a battle cry.
A 'slogan' is any catchy phrase used in advertising or politics. A 'battle cry' is a specific type of slogan that implies urgency, conflict, and a call to collective action or struggle.
It is more formal or literary. In everyday conversation, people might simply say 'rallying cry' or 'slogan'. 'Battle cry' adds dramatic or forceful emphasis.
A shout or slogan used by soldiers in battle to rally courage and intimidate the enemy.
Battle cry: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbætl ˌkraɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbæt̬l ˌkraɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sound the battle cry”
- “Take up the battle cry”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a knight on a BATTLEfield giving a loud CRY to his troops. BATTLE + CRY = the shout for the fight.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CAMPAIGN IS A WAR (e.g., the battle cry of the election; the battle cry for equal rights).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'battle cry' LEAST likely to be used metaphorically?