The composite oxide, which can be contained in the active material for a battery according to the first embodiment, is represented by the general formula of Li2+wNa2?xM1yTi6?zM2zO14+δ. In this composite oxide, Li exists as a monovalent cation. M1 is at least one monovalent cation selected from the group consisting of Cs and K. M1 may be one of Cs and K, or both of Cs and K. M2 is at least one selected from the group consisting of Zr, Sn, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Fe, Co, Mn and Al. M2 may be one selected from the group consisting of Zr, Sn, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Fe, Co, Mn and Al, or be two or more selected from the group consisting of Zr, Sn, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Fe, Co, Mn and Al. Here, each of Fe, Co, Mn and Al is a trivalent cation. Each of Zr and Sn is a tetravalent cation. Each of V, Nb and Ta is a pentavalent cation. Each of Mo and W is a hexavalent cation. Here, the valence of each cation described above are a valence of each cation when w is 0 in the above general formula, i.e., in a discharge state.