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baton

Syllabification: (ba·ton)
Pronunciation: /bəˈtän/

Translate baton | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of baton

noun

  • a short stick or staff or something resembling one, in particular.
  • a thin stick used by a conductor to direct an orchestra or choir.
  • Track & Field a short stick or tube passed from runner to runner in a relay race.
  • a long stick carried and twirled by a drum major.
  • a police officer’s club.
  • a staff symbolizing office or authority, especially one carried by a field marshal.
  • Heraldry a narrow bend truncated at each end.
  • a short bar replacing some figures on the dial of a clock or watch.
  • (batons) one of the suits in some tarot packs, corresponding to wands in others.

Phrases

pass (on) the baton

hand over a particular duty or responsibility.

take up (or pick up) the baton

accept a duty or responsibility.

under the baton of

(of an orchestra or choir) conducted by:under the baton of Sir Edward Downes

Origin:

early 16th century (denoting a staff or cudgel): from French bâton, earlier baston, from late Latin bastum 'stick'

baton in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of baton in the British & World English dictionary