Battery is generally a harmful or offensive contact with another person, without the person’s consent. Battery may be the basis for a criminal charge or offense. The definition and penalties for battery vary from state to state, and are usually located in a state's penal or criminal code (statutes). In some states the crimes of assault and battery are merged into one criminal offense.

Battery is also recognized in tort law as an intentional tort, and may result in civil liability (money damages) in a lawsuit against a person who commits battery.

In Delaware, battery is defined as intentional harmful or offensive touching of another person without their consent. It is considered a criminal offense under Delaware's criminal code. The specific statutes that address battery can be found in Title 11 of the Delaware Code, which outlines various degrees of offensive touching and assault. The severity of the charge and the associated penalties can vary based on factors such as the intent, the degree of harm caused, and whether a weapon was used. Additionally, Delaware law allows for battery to be pursued as a civil matter, where the victim can sue the perpetrator for monetary damages. This is separate from any criminal proceedings and is handled in the civil court system. It's important to note that while some jurisdictions may combine assault and battery into a single offense, Delaware maintains distinctions between assault (attempting or threatening to cause harm) and battery (actual harmful or offensive contact).