label

1 of 2

noun

la·​bel ˈlā-bəl 

1

a

: a slip (as of paper or cloth) inscribed and affixed to something for identification or description

The name is prominently displayed on the label.

b

: written or printed matter accompanying an article to furnish identification or other information

Read the warning label before taking any medicine.

c

: a descriptive or identifying word or phrase: such as

(1)

: epithet

acquired the label of "playboy"

(2)

: a word or phrase used with a dictionary definition to provide additional information

The label obsolete is abbreviated obs.

d

: a usually radioactive isotope used in labeling

2

a(1)

: a brand of commercial recordings issued under a usually trademarked name

(2)

: a company issuing such recordings

The band has made records for several different labels.

(3)

: a recording so issued

b

: the brand name of a retail store selling clothing, a clothing manufacturer, or a fashion designer

She only buys clothes with a designer label.

3

: an adhesive stamp (as for postage or revenue)

4

: a heraldic charge that consists of a narrow horizontal band with usually three pendants

5

archaic : band, fillet

specifically : one attached to a document to hold an appended seal

label

2 of 2

verb

labeled or labelled; labeling or labelling ˈlā-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to affix a label to

labeled the switches so as not to confuse them

b

: to describe or designate with or as if with a label

labels his photos with the date and place they were taken

2

a

: to distinguish (an element or atom) by using an isotope (see isotope sense 1) distinctive in some manner (as in mass or radioactivity)

b

: to distinguish (something, such as a compound or cell) by introducing a traceable constituent (such as a dye or labeled atom)

labelable

ˈlā-bə-lə-bəl 

adjective

labeler

ˈlā-b(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• marker
• tag
• ticket

Verb

• mark
• tag
• ticket

Examples of label in a Sentence

Noun

The name is prominently displayed on the label.

You should read the warning label before you take any medicine.

The word was given the label “obsolete.”

Some people describe him as “selfish,” but he doesn't deserve that label.

Once you give people labels, it's hard to see them as individuals.

The band has made records for several different labels in their career.

Verb

Be sure to carefully label the switches so that you don't confuse them.

He labels his photographs with the date and place they were taken.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The label of far right is rejected by Orbán’s Hungarian party, Fidesz. —Alexander Smith, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024

Schwarzenegger is proof that the Republican label doesn’t have to be poison in California. —Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

Verb

Outside of Indiana’s 1st Congressional District, none of the general elections for U.S. Senate or the other eight seats in the House of Representatives have been labeled competitive races by national election analysts. —Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024

Incorrectly labeled fish can undermine conscious consumers’ efforts to purchase responsibly. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French labelle

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing label

• mailing label
• off-label
• open-label
• own-label
• private label

Kids Definition

label

1 of 2 noun

la·​bel ˈlā-bəl 

1

: a slip (as of paper or cloth) that is attached to something to identify or describe it

2

a

: a descriptive or identifying word or phrase

b

: the brand name of a commercial product

label

2 of 2 verb

labeled or labelled; labeling or labelling -b(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to attach a label to

2

: to name or describe with or as if with a label

3

: to make (as an element, compound, or cell) traceable by inclusion of a detectable part (as a radioactive isotope or a dye)

Medical Definition

label

1 of 2 noun

la·​bel ˈlā-bəl 

: a usually radioactive isotope used in labeling

label

2 of 2 transitive verb

labeled or labelled; labeling or labelling ˈlā-b(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to distinguish (an element or atom) by using an isotope distinctive in some manner (as in mass or radioactivity) for tracing through chemical reactions or biological processes

2

: to distinguish (as a compound or cell) by introducing a traceable constituent (as a dye or labeled atom)