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.
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.