label

1 of 2

noun

la·​bel ˈlā-bəl How to pronounce label (audio)
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 How to pronounce label (audio)

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 adjective
labeler 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
The Poor Things star accessorized with a 30-carat yellow diamond necklace from the French label’s High Jewelry collection. Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Murphy and Forde looked to the Italian label’s archives for inspiration, and landed on creating a black tweed suit with lapels. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024 To use an overused label correctly for once, the BNP is genuinely neo-fascist. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 11 Mar. 2024 But reading the labels’ credit lines always pays off. Roberta Smith, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 The opportunity for the under-the-radar brand started with a chance meeting in London between the actor’s stylist, Rose Forde, and Bertrand Mak, the label’s founder and chief creative. Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024 Others in the top 10 include Indian record label and film production company T-Series, Sony Entertainment Television and social media personalities MrBeast and PewDiePie. Michelle Chapman, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024 As vp and hoi, Moore will lend an analytic hand around label and publishing signings and catalog acquisitions. Marc Schneider, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2024 The Living Wage for Musicians Act would create a new payment system, the Artist Compensation Royalty Fund, that circumvents record labels and other intermediaries, funneling listeners’ money directly to artists. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2024
Verb
Use insecticides with care: In severe infestations, insecticides labeled for crane fly control can be used. The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024 That would be considered an anejo expression in the world of tequila (aged between one and three years), but Maverick has labeled this a reposado. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024 Krekorian said the homeless services authority labeled a 41.18 zone as repopulated even if a single person returned for a single day. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 In January, Akunin was labeled a foreign agent, and in early February a Moscow court issued an arrest warrant for him for allegedly justifying terrorism and spreading false information about the Russian army. Clare Sebastian, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024 After proving the existence of this loss, Duan’s team modified the way that the laser method labeled blocks, reducing the waste substantially. Quanta Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024 The post from November, first reported by the BBC, was not labeled as being AI-generated in any way. Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 Aside from having to constantly prove themselves and talk in a manner that can’t be labeled as angry or emotional, obtaining top managerial positions doesn’t stop the double dilemma of racial and gender pay gaps. Terry Tang, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 Opponents of the recall have been quick to label its organizers as carpetbaggers, citing January’s campaign finance report that showed a slew of Republican donors who reside outside Ward 6 contributing. Andrew Trunsky, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'label.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near label

Cite this Entry

“Label.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/label. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

label

1 of 2 noun
la·​bel ˈlā-bəl How to pronounce label (audio)
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 How to pronounce label (audio)
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 How to pronounce label (audio)
: a usually radioactive isotope used in labeling

label

2 of 2 transitive verb
labeled or labelled; labeling or labelling ˈlā-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce label (audio)
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)

More from Merriam-Webster on label

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