¦ noun
1. a thin stick used by a conductor to direct an orchestra or choir.
a stick carried and twirled by a drum major.
2. a short stick passed from runner to runner in a relay race.
3. a police officer's truncheon.
4. a staff of office or authority.
(batons) one of the suits in some tarot packs, corresponding to wands in others.
5. Heraldry a narrow bend truncated at each end.
6. a short bar replacing some figures on the dial of a clock or watch.
Phrases
pass (or take up) the baton hand over (or take up) a duty or responsibility.
Origin
C16: from Fr. baton, earlier baston, from late L. bastum 'stick'.