What is the legal definition of domestic battery?

Answer 1

It means physically touching, in any way, a person you live with (family, friend, roomate) or a person you are romantically/emotionally involved with. It is considered a crime, and even spitting on your ex-girlfriend/boyfriend is considered domestic battery. Visible injuries do not always need to be seen for someone to be arrested for domestic battery.

Answer 2

Battery is uninvited physical contact, and domestic refers to "within the home", usually between family members. Every state creates it's own legal phrasing and penalty scheme, if there is a charge of "domestic battery", it's referring to "domestic violence", physical abuse within the home, and may have a penalty different than regular "assault and battery", usually higher and especially with accumulated charges.