battleground
/'bætlgraund/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A piece of land where a battle is or was fought: A specific geographical area that is the site of a military conflict. 2. An area of conflict or intense competition: A figurative term for any sphere where opposing forces or ideas contend vigorously.
Usage and Examples
- Literal (Military):
- The ancient battleground was littered with artifacts from the conflict.
- Historians are studying the battleground to understand the army's tactics.
- Figurative (Conflict/Competition):
- The courtroom became a legal battleground for the two corporations.
- Social media is often a battleground for political debates.
Advanced Usage
- "To be a battleground for/over something": To be the central place where a specific conflict occurs.
- The small country became a battleground for the superpowers' influence.
- The committee meeting was a battleground over the new budget.
Variants and Related Words
- Battlefield (n): A direct synonym, most commonly used for the literal sense of land where a battle is fought.
- Theatre of war (n): A broader term for the entire region or area in which a war is conducted.
- Arena (n): A place or scene of activity, debate, or conflict (often used figuratively).
Synonyms
- Combat zone: An area where fighting is taking place.
- War zone: An area where a war is being fought.
- Front line: The part of an army that is closest to the enemy.
Idioms and Phrases
- A battleground state/district: (Primarily in politics) A geographic area where the competition between candidates or parties is very close and fiercely contested.
- Ohio is considered a key battleground state in the presidential election.
Noun
- a region where a battle is being (or has been) fought
- they made a tour of Civil War battlefields