embattle

UK: /ɪmˈbæt^əl/ US: (em bat′l)

Inflections of 'embattle' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

embattles

v 3rd person singular

embattling

v pres p

embattled

v past

embattled

v past p

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

em•bat•tle¹  (em bat′l), v.t., -tled, -tling. 

1. to arrange in order of battle;
   prepare for battle;
   arm.
2. to fortify (a town, camp, etc.).

• Middle French embataillier. See em-¹, battle¹
• Middle English embatailen 1350–1400

em•bat•tle²  (em bat′l), v.t., -tled, -tling. 

1. to furnish with battlements.

• Middle English embatailen. See em-¹, battle² 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

embattle / ɪmˈbæt^əl/ verb (transitive)

1. to deploy (troops) for battle
2. to strengthen or fortify (a position, town, etc)
3. to provide (a building) with battlements

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French embataillier; see en-¹, battle