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
labeled or labelled; labeling or labelling
ˈlā-b(ə-)liŋ 
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)
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
Kendall Hill, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2024
When academics talk about 1950s fashion history, the era is usually defined as 1947-1957—and just so happens to coincide with the years that Christian Dior operated his fashion label.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2024
The small pots featured a label with the same script American Riviera Orchard logo splashed across its website, which PEOPLE understands is Meghan’s calligraphy.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
At the time, Daft Punk and Justice shared a manager in Pedro Winter, aka Busy P, who founded the Ed Banger label in 2003 and signed Justice that same year.
—Kat Bein, SPIN, 26 Apr. 2024
While Unilever makes Dove soap and Axe deodorant, LVMH owns high-end luxury labels like Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 25 Apr. 2024
This is your first solo album entirely produced at your studio and label headquarters, La Base, alongside your in-house producers Los Legendarios.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2024
Based on that international report, California sought to add a cancer warning label to products containing glyphosate.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Fortune Europe, 16 Apr. 2024
But Besties is the only one that sources 100% of its products from all-vegan manufacturers so that customers don’t have to scrutinize labels.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024
If using plastic, look for products labeled BPA- and phthalate-free.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 26 Apr. 2024
Frontier has labeled this offering UpFront Plus, which is now available in the first two rows of its Airbus planes and will offer much more space.
—Harrison Pierce, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
In recent years, people have grown used to the idea that women, people of color and LGBTQ people have the right to label language or actions sexist, racist or homophobic.
—Jason Derose, NPR, 23 Apr. 2024
At a time when Welteroth says that close to 50 percent of mothers in this country have labeled their births as traumatic, midwives are essential.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 22 Apr. 2024
Hence, Andonovski’s labeling them as an immediate contender.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2024
The activists accused the Anti-Defamation League and American Jewish Committee of hurting marginalized communities and falsely labeling any critic of Israel as an antisemite.
—Amy Qin, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Humans also annotate and label some of these [videos of customers shopping] in order for our algorithms to be able to learn and get trained.
—Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024
Noun
Linger over sunny breakfasts and Hawkins’ excellent espresso coffees, tap into the wine wall (mostly Australian labels, plus Champagne) at lunch, and then see where the afternoons lead you — perhaps lounging poolside, taking a siesta, or hiking nearby Hinchinbrook Island.
—Kendall Hill, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2024
When academics talk about 1950s fashion history, the era is usually defined as 1947-1957—and just so happens to coincide with the years that Christian Dior operated his fashion label.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2024
The small pots featured a label with the same script American Riviera Orchard logo splashed across its website, which PEOPLE understands is Meghan’s calligraphy.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
At the time, Daft Punk and Justice shared a manager in Pedro Winter, aka Busy P, who founded the Ed Banger label in 2003 and signed Justice that same year.
—Kat Bein, SPIN, 26 Apr. 2024
While Unilever makes Dove soap and Axe deodorant, LVMH owns high-end luxury labels like Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 25 Apr. 2024
This is your first solo album entirely produced at your studio and label headquarters, La Base, alongside your in-house producers Los Legendarios.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2024
Based on that international report, California sought to add a cancer warning label to products containing glyphosate.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Fortune Europe, 16 Apr. 2024
But Besties is the only one that sources 100% of its products from all-vegan manufacturers so that customers don’t have to scrutinize labels.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Verb
The article claims the Gates Foundation, which provided funding for the project, is pushing to label most math instruction as white supremacist.
—USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024
If using plastic, look for products labeled BPA- and phthalate-free.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 26 Apr. 2024
Frontier has labeled this offering UpFront Plus, which is now available in the first two rows of its Airbus planes and will offer much more space.
—Harrison Pierce, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
In recent years, people have grown used to the idea that women, people of color and LGBTQ people have the right to label language or actions sexist, racist or homophobic.
—Jason Derose, NPR, 23 Apr. 2024
At a time when Welteroth says that close to 50 percent of mothers in this country have labeled their births as traumatic, midwives are essential.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 22 Apr. 2024
Hence, Andonovski’s labeling them as an immediate contender.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2024
The activists accused the Anti-Defamation League and American Jewish Committee of hurting marginalized communities and falsely labeling any critic of Israel as an antisemite.
—Amy Qin, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Humans also annotate and label some of these [videos of customers shopping] in order for our algorithms to be able to learn and get trained.
—Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 17 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near label
Cite this Entry
“Label.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/label. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
label
1 of 2 noun
la·bel
ˈlā-bəl
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
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
2 of 2 transitive verb
labeled or labelled; labeling or labelling
ˈlā-b(ə-)liŋ
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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