descriptor

noun

de·​scrip·​tor di-ˈskrip-tər 

: something (such as a word or characteristic feature) that serves to describe or identify

especially : a word or phrase (such as an index term) used to identify an item (such as a subject or document) in an information retrieval system

Examples of descriptor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is a man who, throughout his long public and political life, has seldom been associated with such descriptors as modest, prudent or vulnerable. —Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026

While sour, of course, is a common descriptor of other pickles in this taste test, the sourness was clearly more concentrated in this jar. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026

D’Angelo, however, wasn’t a fan of the descriptor. —Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 12 Dec. 2025

Those are just some kindest descriptors that Missouri and Kansas fans gave when asked to describe their rival schools in one word. —Rashad Alexander december 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see describe

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing descriptor

• self-descriptor