/'bætn, 'bætɒn; [US] bə'tɒn; bə`tɑn/
n
1 = truncheon
*[attrib 作定语] a baton charge, ie one made by police, etc armed with batons to drive a crowd back 持警棍出击（警察等用警棍驱退群众）.
2 short thin stick used by the conductor of a band or orchestra （乐队指挥所用的）指挥棒.
3 short stick that indicates a certain rank （表示官阶的）权杖
*a Field-Marshal's baton 陆军元帅的司令杖.
4 short stick carried and handed on in a relay race （接力赛跑用的）接力棒.
5 decorative stick held and twirled by drum majors, etc （军乐队指挥所用的装饰性的）指挥棒.

n[C]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: French;Origin: bâton, from Late Latin bastum 'stick']
a short thin stick used by a conductor (=the leader of a group of musicians) to direct the music
a short light stick that is passed from one person to another during a race
a short thick stick used as a weapon by a police officer
= truncheon
a short stick that is carried as a sign of a special office or rank
a light metal stick that is spun and thrown into the air by a majorette