baton

noun

ba·​ton bə-ˈtän How to pronounce baton (audio)
ba-,
 also  ˈba-tᵊn
plural batons
1
: cudgel, truncheon
specifically : billy club
2
: a staff borne as a symbol of office
3
: a narrow heraldic bend
4
: a slender rod with which a leader directs a band or orchestra
5
: a hollow cylinder carried by each member of a relay team and passed to the succeeding runner
6
: a hollow metal rod with a weighted bulb at one or both ends that is flourished by a drum major or drum majorette
7
: a piece of food that has been cut into a narrow strip that is thicker than a julienned piece of food
We cut carrots into slabs, then batons, then dice.Janet Rausa Fuller

Examples of baton in a Sentence

The majorette twirled the baton. the detainee claimed that the police had beat him with their batons even after he had been shackled
Recent Examples on the Web The Pop baton has been handed over numerous times in art history. Christian House, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 The baton can be worn on the hip and expands in length. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2024 As a generation that has introduced so many game-changing innovations, many baby boomers are simply going to decide to pass on the baton and enjoy their retirement. Bart Caylor, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Also ran a superb leg on the 4×100 relay, but the team later dropped the baton. Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024 In 2023, Billboard honored Rosalía as its first-ever Producer of the Year — and now, the baton has been passed to PinkPantheress. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 15 Feb. 2024 The Chiefs, quarterbacked by Mahomes and coached by Andy Reid, could take the baton from Tom Brady and Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, and redefine the 21st century of football. Sean Gregory, TIME, 12 Feb. 2024 But close analysis of the baton’s four holes led the study authors to a different conclusion: Evidence of plant and soil residue and microscopic wear and tear indicated, perhaps, that the object was actually a tool used to make rope or twine. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 Also, how Aunt Jane steps down may affect the degree of complexity in passing the trustee baton to you. Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baton.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French bâton, from Old French baston, ultimately from Late Latin bastum stick

First Known Use

1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of baton was in 1520

Dictionary Entries Near baton

Cite this Entry

“Baton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baton. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

baton

noun
ba·​ton bə-ˈtän How to pronounce baton (audio)
ba-
1
: a staff borne as a symbol of office
2
: a stick with which a leader directs a band or orchestra
3
: a hollow rod passed from one member of a relay team to another
4
: a staff with a ball at one or both ends carried by a drum major or baton twirler

More from Merriam-Webster on baton

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