1. Subjecting someone or something to a strong attack: The storm was battering the coast with strong winds and rain.

For centuries, those mountains have been battered by wind, rain, snow, and ice.

2. A situation in which someone is repeatedly hit: The boxer forced his opponent into the corner and battered him with a series of hard punches.
3. To severely criticize, to defeat, or to setback: Justin was battered by many citizens of the city for suggesting that taxes would be increased if he were elected as mayor.
4. To cover food in a liquid mixture of milk, flour, and eggs; and then to fry it: Dan was battering the pieces of fish and frying them for dinner.

1. An attack that badly injures someone because that person was hit so many times: The ambulance had to take Jonathan to the hospital because he received a terrible battering during the boxing match.
2. The term is used in a figurative sense: That political party is expected to take a battering in next year's election.

Some businesses have taken a battering this year.

An engine used in ancient times to beat down the walls of besieged places (forts, castles, etc.): A battering ram is a device that originated in ancient times to break open fortification walls or entrance ways.