plural batons
Synonyms of batonnext
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

Examples 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
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.
Protesters hurled rocks, petrol bombs, flares and fireworks at police, who responded with tear gas, water cannon and baton charges as clashes spread through the city center. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 As night fell in Paris, groups of young people looted and started fires as protests ended, prompting police to respond with tear gas and baton charges in the narrow streets. — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 Protesters hurled rocks, petrol bombs, flares and fireworks at police, who responded with tear gas, water cannon, and baton charges as clashes spread through the city center. — Zana Cimili, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Oct. 2026 Others spoke of police chokeholds and the grainy footage that showed officers striking King with batons. — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for baton

Word History

Etymology

French bâton, from Old French baston, ultimately from Late Latin bastum stick

First Known Use

1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of baton was in 1520

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Baton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baton. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

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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