the lowest integral denomination in an army or national military force. Hence two or more battalions constitute a regiment, two or more regiments a brigade, two or more brigades a division, two or more divisions a corps d'armée, and two or more corps d'armée a grand army. A battalion is the unit or integer in all the combinations of an armed force. A battalion usually contains from 500 to 800 men; but the number is not determined. They are divided into eight or more companies, one of which is grenadiers. Some regiments consist of but one battalion, others are divided into four or five. See Army.