Battalion

A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of up to 1,000 soldiers, commanded by a lieutenant colonel and subdivided into several companies, each typically commanded by a major or a captain. The typical battalion is built from three operational companies, one weapons company and one headquarters company. In some countries battalions consist exclusively of infantry, while in others battalions are unit-level organizations. The word battalion has its origins in the Late Latin word battalion, which derives from Late Latin battālia, meaning "battle" or "combat" The English-language term originally characterised a large group of soldiers ready for battle. Over time, its meaning evolved in military terminology. The word "battalion" came into the English language in the 16th century from the French bataillon, meaning "battle squadron" (similar to the Italian battaglione meaning the same thing) and the Spanish batallón, derived from the Vulgar Latin noun battalia ("battle") and ultimately from the Classical Latin verb battuere ("to beat" or "to strike"). The first use of the word in English is attested in the 1580s.