baton

plural batons · alternative bâton

1. A staff or truncheon, used for various purposes.
2. governmentA ceremonial staff of a field marshal or a similar high-ranking military office.
3. entertainmentThe stick of a conductor in musical performances.

   The conductor raised his baton and the orchestra fell silent.

4. hobbiesAn object transferred by runners in a relay race.

   In the relay race, the runner dropped the baton.

5. artsA rod twirled in a marching band's performance, in a gymnastic sport, or in juggling.
6. USengineeringA short stout club used primarily by policemen.

   The police officer carried a baton for self-defense.

   Synonyms: billy club, nightstick, truncheon

7. governmentA bend with the ends cut off, resembling a baton, typically borne sinister, and often used as a mark of cadency, initially for both legitimate and illegitimate children, but later chiefly for illegitimate children.

   Alternative forms: batune, baston

8. A short vertical lightweight post, not set into the ground, used to separate wires in a fence.
9. cookingA batonnet, a long slice of a vegetable, thicker than a julienne.
10. bakingA short baguette.

present singular third person batons · participle present batoning · participle past batoned · past batoned · alternative bâton

1. figurativelytransitiveTo strike with a baton.

   accept/refuse/receive the baton

   1 more example

   She passed the baton to her successor after retiring.