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Baton - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A baton is a short stick or rod passed between runners in a relay race. It can also refer to a conductor’s wand used to direct an orchestra or a police officer’s club.

baton

/bəˈtɑn/ /ˈbætən/

Definition:

A thin stick used by conductors, relay runners, or as a symbol of authority.

Synonyms:

stick, rod, staff, wand

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

(none applicable)

Common Collocations:

relay baton, pass the baton, baton twirling

Derivatives:

batons, batoning

Usage Tips:

Use "baton" for a conductor's stick or relay race object; avoid confusion with "button" or "baton" as a weapon in some contexts.

Common Phrases:

pass the baton, under the baton of, baton charge

Etymology:

Derived from French "bâton," meaning stick or staff, originating from Late Latin "bastum."

Examples:

  • 1. The conductor raised his baton to begin the symphony.
  • 2. She dropped the baton during the relay race but quickly picked it up.
  • 3. The police officer carried a baton for crowd control.
  • 4. He passed the leadership baton to his successor gracefully.

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