The present invention relates to a rechargeable battery and a rechargeable battery module, wherein the rechargeable battery can be cooled directly on the condition of not using a transfer medium, suchas a heat transmitting plate, a heat transmitting sheet, etc., thereby improving the cooling performance. The rechargeable battery provided by the example embodiments of the present invention comprises a housing configured to store an electrode assembly in the main space of the housing, wherein the main space is formed between a first opening and a second opening provided at the relative sides ofthe housing; a bottom plate configured to close and seal the first opening of the housing; a cover plate configured to be assembled to the second opening of the housing; an electrode terminal configured to be provided to the cover plate and electrically connected with the electrode assembly, wherein the housing can comprise a cooling channel integrally provided to the outer side of the housing toenable a coolant to flow.