bat ‧ on /ˈbætɒn, -tn $ bæˈtɑːn, bə-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: French ; Origin: bâton , from Late Latin bastum 'stick' ]
1 . a short thin stick used by a ↑ conductor (=the leader of a group of musicians) to direct the music
2 . a short light stick that is passed from one person to another during a race
3 . a short thick stick used as a weapon by a police officer SYN truncheon
4 . a short stick that is carried as a sign of a special office or rank
5 . a light metal stick that is spun and thrown into the air by a ↑ majorette