battalion

bat|tal|ion /bət'æljən/ (battalions)
1 [N-COUNT]
A battalion is a large group of soldiers that consists of three or more companies.
Anthony was ordered to return to his battalion...
He joined the second battalion of the Grenadier Guards.
2 [N-COUNT] N of n
A battalion of people is a large group of them, especially a well-organized, efficient group that has a particular task to do.
There were battalions of highly paid publicists to see that such news didn't make the press.
= horde