label

1 of 2

noun

la·bel ˈlā-bəl

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

The name is prominently displayed on the label.

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

Read the warning label before taking any medicine.

: 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.

: a usually radioactive isotope used in labeling

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

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

She only buys clothes with a designer label.

: an adhesive stamp (as for postage or revenue)

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

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

: to affix a label to

labeled the switches so as not to confuse them

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

labels his photos with the date and place they were taken

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

: 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

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Kyncl, who will succeed Cooper on Jan. 1, knows Warner Music well, having spent years as the chief business officer of YouTube, one of the label’s biggest partners.

Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2022 Once upon a time, siblings Jade and Grant Goulden, co-founders of the celeb-favorite label Jaded London, were just kids roaming around small shops during their summer vacations.

Frances Solá-santiago, refinery29.com, 15 Nov. 2022 Twitter management has announced the introduction of a new verification label to replace the blue check previously given only to verified accounts.

Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 15 Nov. 2022 My perspective is to consider the value-add [of a label].

Katie Bain, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2022 Or was that New Wave of British Heavy Metal label more of a press thing?

Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 2 Nov. 2022 Your Mumu is our go-to place to buy wedding guest dresses — evenThe Bachelorette stars Hannah Brown and Kaitlyn Bristowe would agree as superfans of the label.

Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 1 Nov. 2022 Look for the lot number on the top left corner of the nutrition label.

Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 1 Nov. 2022 The collection mirrors the versatility of the Italian fashion label’s signature Luxury Leisure wardrobe, which is designed to withstand rigorous outdoor conditions through the use of technical fabrics.

Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2022

Verb

In states where recreational use is legal, advertisements often label the drug as safe, Volkow said.

Megan Marples, CNN, 29 Aug. 2022 As The Economist pointed out earlier this summer, much of what financial firms label as ESG investments, is in fact anything but.

Peter Vanham, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2022 Google on Tuesday announced a new set of artificial intelligence tools aimed at letting healthcare organizations use the search giant’s software and servers to read, store and label X-rays, MRIs and other medical imaging.

Richard Nieva, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2022 The board and other school administrators have enacted a number of policies that critics label anti-LGBTQ.

Zachary Schermele, NBC News, 7 Oct. 2022 According to the announcement, in his new position, Wharton will sign and guide artists across CMG’s portfolio of labels, and will relaunch the legendary Priority Records label as a dedicated home for new, developing and established hip hop artists.

Jem Aswad, Variety, 27 Sep. 2022 This breezy tiered maxi that's only $60 and this pretty silky slip skirt that's under $50, both from Amazon's own fashion label The Drop.

Alex Warner, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2022 The card had $300,000 a month in charges, but Schwartz said accounting staff did not label what the charges were for.

Sonia Moghe, CNN, 3 Aug. 2022 Phone makers are trying to combat the issue on their side with features that label some calls as possible spam, while companies like RoboKiller are making their own apps to screen and block.

Heather Kelly, Washington Post, 13 July 2022 See More

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.

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

Time Traveler

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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Label.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/label. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

label

1 of 2 noun

la·bel ˈlā-bəl

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

: a descriptive or identifying word or phrase

: the brand name of a commercial product

label

2 of 2 verb

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

: to attach a label to

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

: 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

: 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

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