SINCE 1828
label
noun
la·bel
| \ ˈlā-bəl
\
\
Definition of label
(Entry 1 of 2)
2
: a heraldic charge that consists of a narrow horizontal band with usually three pendants
3a
: 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
4
: an adhesive stamp (as for postage or revenue)
5a(1)
: a brand of commercial recordings issued under a usually trademarked name
(2)
: a recording so issued
(3)
: a company issuing such recordings
The band has made records for several different labels.
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.
label
verb
labeled
or labelled;
labeling
or labelling\ ˈlā-b(ə-)liŋ
\
\
Definition of label (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: 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
2a
: 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)
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Other Words from label
Verb
labelable
\ ˈlā-bə-lə-bəl
\
adjective
\
adjective
labeler
\ ˈlā-b(ə-)lər
\
noun
\
noun
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
Since launching her eponymous label in the 1980s, fashion has remained a vehicle for her own creative exploration. — Sara Radin, Teen Vogue, "Designer Cynthia Rowley Accepted an Award at SCAD for Her Major Contributions to the Fashion Industry," 16 May 2019 The trading bloc’s agriculture committee wants to ban vegan food products from using terms such as burger and sausage on their labels. — Carol Ryan, WSJ, "Europe Sticks a Knife into Vegan Meat," 13 May 2019 Designer Lauren Wells previously worked for Vera Wang, before creating her own bridal label. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Jennifer Lawrence Celebrates Her Engagement Party in a Dress Fit for a Princess," 13 May 2019 Fans were angry and Cube eventually suspended the two artists from their record label, according to CNN. — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "Here's Why All The Members Of BTS Are Single," 9 May 2019 Though Mugler himself hasn't created anything under his own label in decades, celebrities have recently taken to pulling his designs from the archives for the red carpet. — Glamour, "Thierry Mugler Hasn't Designed in Almost 20 Years—But He Made an Exception for Kim Kardashian and the 2019 Met Gala," 7 May 2019 The party is in part being put together by DJ and former Daft Punk manager Busy P, and his record label, Ed Banger Records. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Versailles Is Putting on a Rave in the Hall of Mirrors," 29 Mar. 2019 Though hers, in white, seems to be sold out, there are other colorways by the label still available, retailing for a relatively budget-friendly $195. — Vogue, "Katy Perry’s Evening It Bag Is Surprisingly Affordable," 1 May 2019 Stick to brands with hypoallergenic labels and your skin woes should be put to rest. — Lyndsay Green, Teen Vogue, "QUIZ: What is My Skin Type: Dry? Acne-Prone? Oily? Find Out Now," 14 Mar. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
In some editions, the chart incorrectly was labeled in millions of dollars. ... — WSJ, "Corrections & Amplifications," 6 May 2019 Three judges, including Jonathan Kobes, Charles Goodwin, and Holly Lou Teeter, were given that rating this year, while six of his nominees have been labeled as such since the start of Trump’s term. — Li Zhou, Vox, "Trump has gotten 66 judges confirmed this year. In his second year, Obama had gotten 49.," 27 Dec. 2018 The best one is max assist, which is labeled in the menu as Turbo. — Ezra Dyer, Popular Mechanics, "The Priority Embark Is A Rugged Commuter E-Bike That Wants To Replace Your Car," 7 Nov. 2018 What is labeled as parmesan in American supermarkets can be made from any cow’s milk—dried, bleached, or otherwise—made into a hard-rinded cheese that has the right consistency for grating. — Carmen Rosy Hall, Vogue, "Driving 2,000 Miles for a Wheel of Cheese," 30 Aug. 2018 Many of the attractive males—most often of the celebrity type—who have been labeled as zaddies are not fathers. — Puja Prakash, Vogue, "The Zaddies, Living and Dead, of Game of Thrones," 3 May 2019 With the lease deal dead, the Air Force put out a request for proposals for a new tanker, initially labeled KC-X. In the tortuous drama that followed, a joint venture between Northrop Grumman and EADS, the European parent of Airbus, won. — Jon Talton, The Seattle Times, "Boeing’s other problem: Much-needed Air Force tanker keeps hitting snafus," 12 Apr. 2019 In addition, Ray launched Convalore, her new accessories label that's exclusively available on her e-commerce site. — Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Rachael Ray Launches Fashion E-Commerce Site Featuring Female-Founded Brands," 22 Mar. 2019 Add enough water to make a gallon, and label a squirt bottle clearly. — Heloise, Houston Chronicle, "Convenience gets healthier?," 6 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'label.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for label
label
noun
English Language Learners Definition of label
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a piece of paper, cloth, or similar material that is attached to something to identify or describe it
: a word or phrase that describes or identifies something or someone
: a company that produces musical recordings
label
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of label (Entry 2 of 2)
: to put a word or name on something to describe or identify it : to attach a label to (something)
: to name or describe (someone or something) in a specified way : to give a label to (someone or something)
See the full definition for label in the English Language Learners Dictionary
label
noun
la·bel
| \ ˈlā-bəl
\
\
Kids Definition of label
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a slip (as of paper or cloth) attached to something to identify or describe it
2
: a word or phrase that describes or names something or someone
a part-of-speech label
label
verb
labeled
or labelled;
labeling
or labelling
Kids Definition of label (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to put a word or words on (something) to identify or describe it
Be sure to label your belongings.
2
: to name or describe with or as if with a label
The team was labeled “the Dream Team.”
label
noun
la·bel
| \ ˈlā-bəl
\
\
Medical Definition of label
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a usually radioactive isotope used in labeling
label
transitive verb
labeled
or labelled;
labeling
or labelling\ ˈlā-b(ə-)liŋ
\
\
Medical Definition of label (Entry 2 of 2)
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)
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