1.a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war;
Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga
2.an energetic attempt to achieve something;
getting through the crowd was a real struggle
3.an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals);
the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph--Thomas Paine
1.battle or contend against in or as if in a battle;
The Kurds are combating Iraqi troops in Nothern Iraq