French Conversation · Level 32
90 words
French word
bâton
Pronunciation
IPA/batɔ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounstick
Example
Le chien joue avec un bâton.
The dog plays with a stick.
More examples
Le chef d'orchestre lève son bâton.
The conductor raises his baton.
Core concept
A simple wooden rod carried in the hand, changing from walking support to striking tool or pointer according to its use.
Common phrases
un bâton en bois
a wooden stick
un bâton de colle
a glue stick
un bâton de ski
a ski pole
Similar words
canne: A sturdy handled stick used to support the body while walking.
branche: A thin tree limb, often broken off and small enough to hold.
perche: A long, thin pole used to reach high places or prod objects.
barre: A thick, straight wooden or metal structural rod.
Definition in French
Objet long et fin, généralement en bois, que l'on tient à la main pour frapper, s'appuyer ou montrer quelque chose.
Word origin
French bâton comes through Old French baston from Latin bastum, which referred to a stick or staff and developed into the modern word for several related objects.
Usage tips
- French bâton is broader than English baton: it commonly means an ordinary stick, while a conductor's baton is often a bâton de chef d'orchestre.
Other meanings
- canenoun
- batonnoun
Related words
- bâtonnetsmall sticknoun
- bâtonnerbeat with a stickverb