- 1a thin light stick used by the person (called aconductor) who is in control of an orchestra, etc. The orchestra played brilliantly under Previn's baton.
- 2a short light stick that one member of a team in a relay 1race passes to the next person to run to pass/hand over the baton (figurative) The president passed the baton (= passed responsibility) to his successor.
- 3a long stick that is held and thrown in the air by a person marching in front of a band, or by a majorette to twirl a baton
- 4a nightstick
Check pronunciation: baton