BATON

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does baton mean? 

• BATON (noun)
  The noun BATON has 5 senses:

1. a thin tapered rod used by a conductor to lead an orchestra or choir

2. a short stout club used primarily by policemen

3. a short staff carried by some officials to symbolize an office or an authority

4. a hollow metal rod that is wielded or twirled by a drum major or drum majorette

5. a hollow cylinder passed from runner to runner in a relay race

  Familiarity information: BATON used as a noun is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BATON (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A thin tapered rod used by a conductor to lead an orchestra or choir

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

baton; wand

Hypernyms ("baton" is a kind of...):

rod (a long thin implement made of metal or wood)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A short stout club used primarily by policemen

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

baton; billy; billy club; billystick; nightstick; truncheon

Hypernyms ("baton" is a kind of...):

club (stout stick that is larger at one end)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A short staff carried by some officials to symbolize an office or an authority

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("baton" is a kind of...):

staff (a strong rod or stick with a specialized utilitarian purpose)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A hollow metal rod that is wielded or twirled by a drum major or drum majorette

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("baton" is a kind of...):

rod (a long thin implement made of metal or wood)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A hollow cylinder passed from runner to runner in a relay race

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("baton" is a kind of...):

sports implement (an implement used in a sport)

 Context examples 

The wound was, however, but a slight one, and the Frenchman was about to renew his onset, when, at a sign from the prince, Chandos threw down his baton, and the marshals of the lists struck up the weapons and brought the contest to an end.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)