plural batons
1
: cudgel, truncheon
specifically
: billy club
2
: a staff borne as a symbol of office
3
: a narrow heraldic bend
4
: a slender rod with which a leader directs a band or orchestra
5
: a hollow cylinder carried by each member of a relay team and passed to the succeeding runner
6
: a hollow metal rod with a weighted bulb at one or both ends that is flourished by a drum major or drum majorette
7
: a piece of food that has been cut into a narrow strip that is thicker than a julienned piece of food
We cut carrots into slabs, then batons, then dice.—
Janet Rausa Fuller
Janet Rausa FullerExamples of baton in a Sentence
The majorette twirled the baton.
the detainee claimed that the police had beat him with their batons even after he had been shackled
Recent Examples on the Web
Even after Parry passed away in 2018 and the baton was passed to Lauria, Consortium News has served as an independent voice.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Nantwi, 22, was struck dozens of times by guards who used their fists, boots and batons.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Good morning, Alexei Oreskovic here, taking the baton back from features editor Matt Heimer, who graciously filled in for me these last couple of days.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
San Diego Symphony musicians will perform the opera’s score under the baton of conductor Louis Lohraseb, who is making his company debut.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for baton
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Nantwi, 22, was struck dozens of times by guards who used their fists, boots and batons.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Good morning, Alexei Oreskovic here, taking the baton back from features editor Matt Heimer, who graciously filled in for me these last couple of days.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
San Diego Symphony musicians will perform the opera’s score under the baton of conductor Louis Lohraseb, who is making his company debut.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for baton
Cite this Entry
“Baton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baton. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
baton
noun
ba·ton
bə-ˈtän 
ba-
1
: a staff borne as a symbol of office
2
: a stick with which a leader directs a band or orchestra
3
: a hollow rod passed from one member of a relay team to another
4
: a staff with a ball at one or both ends carried by a drum major or baton twirler
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
