baton

[ buh-ton, ba-, bat-n ]

noun

1. Music. a wand used by a conductor.
2. a rod of lightweight metal fitted with a weighted bulb at each end and carried and twirled by a drum major or majorette.
3. Track. a hollow rod of wood, paper, or plastic that is passed during a race from one member of a relay team to the next in a prescribed area.
4. a staff, club, or truncheon, especially one serving as a mark of office or authority.

   Synonyms: caduceus, fasces, wand, rod, crosier, scepter, mace

5. Heraldry.
   1. a diminutive of the bend sinister, couped at the extremities: used in England as a mark of bastardy.
   2. a similar diminutive of the ordinary bend.

baton

/ -tɒn; ˈbætən /

noun

1. a thin stick used by the conductor of an orchestra, choir, etc, to indicate rhythm or expression
2. 1. a short stick carried for use as a weapon, as by a policeman; truncheon
   2. ( as modifier )

      a baton charge

3. athletics a short bar carried by a competitor in a relay race and transferred to the next runner at the end of each stage
4. a long stick with a knob on one end, carried, twirled, and thrown up and down by a drum major or drum majorette, esp at the head of a parade
5. a staff or club carried by an official as a symbol of authority
6. heraldry a single narrow diagonal line superimposed on all other charges, esp one curtailed at each end, signifying a bastard line

baton

1. A stick used by some conductors of choruses or orchestras . The baton is traditionally used to indicate the tempo of the music.

Word History and Origins

Origin of baton¹

1540–50; < Middle French bâton, Old French baston < Vulgar Latin *bastōn- (stem of *bastō ) stick, club; compare Late Latin bastum staff

Word History and Origins

Origin of baton¹

C16: from French bâton , from Late Latin bastum rod, probably ultimately from Greek bastazein to lift up, carry

Example Sentences

We cannot wait for 18 months and then say 'now we'll pick up the baton'.

From BBC

Dr Joanne Grenfell, the Bishop of Stepney and the Church of England's lead safeguarding bishop, said the failings identified in the report into Smyth's abuse meant it was "now necessary for others to take up the baton".

From BBC

Robinson, whose USC teams won four Rose Bowls in his two stints with the Trojans, died Monday in Baton Rouge, La., of complications from pneumonia, USC announced.

From Los Angeles Times

“After more than twenty years of leadership at three great universities,” Folt wrote to the USC community, “I am excited to embrace the freedom that comes with a next big leap, and to pass the baton to the next president who will be able to build upon our accomplishments and create a new chapter for this extraordinary institution.”

From Los Angeles Times

“He handed me the baton for composers.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cudgel
• mace
• nightstick
• rod
• truncheon
• wand