The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Baton \Bat"on\ (b[a^]t"[u^]n, F. b[aum]`t[^o]N"; 277), n. [F.
   b[^a]ton. See Baston.]
   1. A staff or truncheon, used for various purposes; as, the
      baton of a field marshal; the baton of a conductor in
      musical performances.
      [1913 Webster]

            He held the baton of command.         --Prescott.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Her.) An ordinary with its ends cut off, borne sinister
      as a mark of bastardy, and containing one fourth in
      breadth of the bend sinister; -- called also bastard
      bar. See Bend sinister.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

baton
    n 1: a thin tapered rod used by a conductor to lead an orchestra
         or choir [syn: baton, wand]
    2: a short stout club used primarily by policemen [syn:
       truncheon, nightstick, baton, billy, billystick,
       billy club]
    3: a short staff carried by some officials to symbolize an
       office or an authority
    4: a hollow metal rod that is wielded or twirled by a drum major
       or drum majorette
    5: a hollow cylinder passed from runner to runner in a relay
       race