truncheon
5 synonyms for truncheon, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A short heavy stick used as a weapon, especially the baton carried by police.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use truncheon
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
wield a truncheon
police truncheon
Etymology
From Old French tronchon, "a thick stick," ultimately from Latin truncus, meaning a tree trunk or something cut short.
Full origin of truncheon →Frequently asked questions
What does “truncheon” mean?
The word “truncheon” means a short heavy stick used as a weapon, especially the baton carried by police. In plain terms, a short club-like stick, most familiar today as a police baton.
How do you pronounce “truncheon”?
“Truncheon” is pronounced TRUHNT-shuhn (/ˈtɹʌnt͡ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “truncheon” in a sentence?
Here is “truncheon” used in a sentence: “The officer carried a truncheon on his belt during patrol.”
What part of speech is “truncheon”?
“Truncheon” is a noun.
Where does the word “truncheon” come from?
The word “truncheon” comes from Latin. From Old French tronchon, "a thick stick," ultimately from Latin truncus, meaning a tree trunk or something cut short.
How many meanings does “truncheon” have?
“Truncheon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short heavy stick used as a weapon, especially the baton carried by police.
