Definition

Noun 1. A short, thin stick used by a conductor to direct an orchestra or choir. 2. A hollow cylinder passed from one runner to the next in a relay race. 3. A short, heavy stick carried as a weapon, especially by police. 4. A stick or rod carried as a symbol of office or authority. 5. A stick twirled by a drum major or majorette.

Examples

• The conductor raised his baton, and the hall fell silent.
• The sprinter fumbled the baton during the final handoff.
• The officer drew her baton to control the crowd.
• The field marshal was presented with a ceremonial baton.
• The majorette tossed her baton high into the air and caught it.

Advanced Usage

• To pass the baton: To hand over responsibility or authority to someone else.
  • The retiring CEO passed the baton to her successor.
• Under the baton of: Conducted or led by a specific conductor.
  • The symphony performed brilliantly under the baton of the guest maestro.

Variants and Related Words

• Baton round: (noun) Another term for a rubber or plastic bullet.
• Baton charge: (noun) A police tactic where officers advance in a line using batons to control a crowd.

Synonyms

• Stick, rod, club, truncheon, nightstick, mace, staff, wand.

Related Phrases

• Baton down the hatches: (This is a common mishearing of the idiom "batten down the hatches," meaning to prepare for trouble. The word "baton" is not correctly used in this idiom.)

Noun

1. a hollow cylinder passed from runner to runner in a relay race
2. a hollow metal rod that is wielded or twirled by a drum major or drum majorette
3. a short staff carried by some officials to symbolize an office or an authority
4. a short stout club used primarily by policemen
5. a thin tapered rod used by a conductor to lead an orchestra or choir