/ ˈbætɒn; -tɒ͂; NAmE bəˈtɑːn/ noun
1.
( especially BrE ) = truncheon :
a baton charge (= one made by police carrying batons , to force a crowd back)
2.
a thin light stick used by the person (called a conductor ) who is in control of an orchestra , etc.
3.
a small light stick that one member of a team in a relay race passes to the next person to run :
to pass / hand over the baton
( figurative )
The President handed over the baton (= passed responsibility) to his successor.
4.
a long stick that is held and thrown in the air by a person marching in front of a band, or by a majorette
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WORD ORIGIN
early 16th cent. (denoting a staff or cudgel): from French bâton , earlier baston , from late Latin bastum stick.