From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishRelated topics: Music, Other sports, Policebatonbat‧on /ˈbætɒn, -tn $ bæˈtɑːn, bə-/ noun [countable]1APMa shortthinstick used by a conductor (=the leader of a group of musicians) to direct the music2DSOa short light stick that is passed from one person to another during a race3SCPa short thick stick used as a weapon by a policeofficerSYN truncheon4PGOSSOa short stick that is carried as a sign of a specialoffice or rank5DLOa light metal stick that is spun and thrown into the air by a majoretteOriginbaton(1500-1600)Frenchbâton, from Late Latinbastum"stick"