Baton

/ˈbætɒn/ · noun

Meaning

A staff or truncheon, used for various purposes..

Definitions by Sense

1. A staff or truncheon, used for various purposes.
2. (military) A ceremonial staff of a field marshal or a similar high-ranking military office.
3. (music) The stick of a conductor in musical performances.
4. (sports) An object transferred by runners in a relay race.
5. (gymnastics, juggling) A rod twirled in a marching band's performance, in a gymnastic sport, or in juggling.
6. (weaponry, US) A short stout club used primarily by policemen.
7. (heraldry) A bend with the ends cut off, resembling a baton, typically borne sinister, and often used as a mark of cadency, initially for both legitimate and illegitimate children, but later chiefly for illegitimate children.
8. A short vertical lightweight post, not set into the ground, used to separate wires in a fence.

Example Sentences

The conductor raised his baton and the orchestra fell silent.

In the relay race, the runner dropped the baton.

The police officer carried a baton for self-defense.

Alternative forms: batune, baston

She passed the baton to her successor after retiring.

accept/refuse/receive the baton

Synonyms for baton

Antonyms for baton

Related Words

Word Forms

• batons
• bâton
• batoning
• batoned

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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