Baton - Definition and Overview

The term Baton refers to any of several types of cylindrical or tapered instruments composed of a wide variety of materials, and of differing functions:

• A baton (billy, billy club, nightstick, riot stick) is a type of striking/parrying weapon, staff or club, typically used by police, military, security personnel or martial artists.

• Conductors use light-weight batons for directing the orchestra. These are usually very thin, tapered, often with a more substantial handle, and look somewhat like wands.

• Relay racers carry (and pass on) symbolic batons, usually cylindrical and made of a lightweight metal.

• A baton is also a light metal rod that is used for keeping time, twirling, and juggling in marching band and parade performances, usually by drum majors or majorettes.

• A baton also refers to the center stick of a set of Devil Sticks, which is twirled and manipulated using one or two control sticks, also called the stick by stick jugglers.

• BATON is the name of a classified encryption algorithm.