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
Dozens of agents swarmed the area along with a military vehicle, Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, told USA TODAY, saying agents used batons and mace on demonstrators.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Today his agents used batons and pepper spray on street vendors and bystanders on Canal Street.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Harvick said agents get training in use of physical force, batons, pepper ball launchers and chemical agents such as tear gas.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
This victory means United can enjoy a period of calm while the ‘crisis’ baton is handed to another ‘top-six club’.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for baton
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Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Today his agents used batons and pepper spray on street vendors and bystanders on Canal Street.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Harvick said agents get training in use of physical force, batons, pepper ball launchers and chemical agents such as tear gas.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
This victory means United can enjoy a period of calm while the ‘crisis’ baton is handed to another ‘top-six club’.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for baton
Cite this Entry
“Baton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baton. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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
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