label

noun

la·bel | \ ˈlā-bəl

Definition of label

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 archaic : band, fillet specifically : one attached to a document to hold an appended seal

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)

transitive verb

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)

Other Words from label Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about label

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Synonyms for label

Synonyms: Noun

marker, tag, ticket

Synonyms: 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

Braun – who manages Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Swift's past foe, Kanye West – paid $300 million to acquire Swift's former record label, Big Machine Label Group, and by extension, the masters of Swift's old music. — Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, "Taylor Swift: Fans show support for singer at Amazon Prime Day concert amid Scooter Braun battle," 11 July 2019 The label, a Meghan Markle favorite, lost 2.5 million pounds ($3.1 million) on 14.3 million pounds ($17.53 million) of sales in 2017, according to public filings. — Thomas Beardsworth, Fortune, "German Entrepreneur Bets on a Favorite Meghan Markle Fashion Brand," 11 July 2019 Drugs with caffeine require warning labels, but dietary supplements don’t. — Sara Talpos, Quartz, "The dangers of energy drinks can be fatal—especially for teens," 10 July 2019 Along with the Rhino label, the band last month released recordings of all 26 concerts from its 2018 summer tour on digital download and streaming services. — John Wenzel, The Know, "Major Homer, Remington show comes to Denver Art Museum, plus more Colorado arts news," 9 July 2019 In response to such findings, the Illinois State Medical Society is calling for per-serving limits on THC, strong warning labels, and a ban on claims of health benefits from cannabis. — Robert Mccoppin, chicagotribune.com, "As Illinois determines whether to limit potency of legalized pot, drug gets increased scrutiny after link to psychosis," 6 July 2019 Today, renowned supermodel Leomie Anderson announced her debut collection with Amsterdam streetwear label, Daily Paper. — James Love, Essence, "Leomie Anderson and Daily Paper Join Forces to Empower Women For Their Debut Collaboration," 3 July 2019 Follow the label, and don't spray when pollinators are present. — Arricca Sansone, Country Living, "Planting Pumpkin Seeds 101: How to Grow Pumpkins," 1 July 2019 The shredding and high-temperature water and chemical washing process will take care of labels, lids, or residues left inside the bottle. — Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al.com, "Alabama is great at recycling other people’s trash - just not its own," 19 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Critics have labeled them conceptual artists, frauds, intellectuals and post-modernists. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: Observing Christo’s balancing act in ‘Walking on Water’," 11 July 2019 Most of the bottles on his shelves have been hand-labeled and hand-poured. — Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, "This perfume store only sells scents made in America. And it's right here in Louisville," 8 July 2019 And that, at least six weeks ago, could’ve been labeled a success. — Brian Straus, SI.com, "Final vs. Mexico Changes Meaning, Perspective of Gold Cup for USA," 6 July 2019 Huawei has labelled Mr Trump’s announcement a U-turn. — The Economist, "Donald Trump eases off Huawei as firms discover holes in his export ban," 4 July 2019 Most of the affected products are labeled with a best-if-used-by date of June 26 to June 29. — chicagotribune.com, "Fresh vegetables — some sold under Green Giant, Trader Joe’s brands — recalled over listeria risk," 2 July 2019 Even Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins (2005) was initially labeled a prequel until the word reboot caught on and our understanding of franchise continuity changed. — Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Hunger Games' and the Pitfalls of a Prequel," 22 June 2019 Also, some incidents involving people in a mental-health crisis are labeled differently because another crime was alleged, such as a trespassing or an aggravated assault. — AZCentral.com, "Phoenix police shot at more people than NYPD did in 2018. Will that change?," 20 June 2019 Jews were labeled materialistic and corrupt centuries before the Catholic Church began to worry about usury, or even about the sin of avarice. — Sara Lipton, The New York Review of Books, "A Terribly Durable Myth," 17 June 2019

These 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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Dictionary Entries near label

la belle dame sans merci

Statistics for label

Last Updated

15 Jul 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for label

The first known use of label was in the 14th century

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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

verb

English 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)