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
Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
The label did not respond to CNN’s request for comment on potential legal action.
—Dhruv Tikekar, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
The bottle has been redesigned with a black matte glass texture, and the label now has a glow-in-the-dark BSB logo on the front that seems built for bottle service.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024
Gavin Blair of the venerable Jamaican group, collective, and label Equiknoxx.
—Erin MacLeod, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2024
Spotify paid record labels, artists and others more than $9 billion last year – from $13.2 billion in revenue.
—Lucas Shaw, Fortune Europe, 3 Apr. 2024
Thank you to Rosetta Tharpe, Miss Tracy Chapman, Linda Martell, Prince, Stevie Wonder, André 3000, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, and so many more who defied any label placed upon them.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2024
If the sap is fresh, wait 15 minutes after diluting and spreading the cleaner as the label advises; if the sap is more than a few days old, wait longer, Ramirez said.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
In front of the paparazzi, Jenner played it cool, making sure to flash the Sprinter label on her can while walking from her SUV to the party door.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2024
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The technology used cameras and sensors to track items customers left its stores with, but actually relied on over 1,000 workers in India who watched and labeled videos to check for accuracy.
—Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
In fact, labeling them as gifted may actually decrease their odds of success.
—Mary C. Murphy, TIME, 2 Apr. 2024
In some cases, students were labeled defiant or disorderly for fighting, throwing chairs or even hitting a teacher.
—Sarah Butrymowicz, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
The distillery could have labeled it as a finished bourbon after using the Cognac cask for secondary maturation, but decided to call it American whiskey instead.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2024
The document is labeled confidential but was filed in San Diego federal court earlier this year as part of the class-action lawsuit.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024
After her release, maintaining her image of class and refinement was more important than ever, as she was routinely labeled a criminal in the press.
—Paul Alexander, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024
Products that contain real licorice are usually labeled as such and list licorice extract or glycyrrhizic acid among the ingredients.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
Noun
Jolie is among the A-listers who’ve worn the luxe label.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
The label did not respond to CNN’s request for comment on potential legal action.
—Dhruv Tikekar, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
The bottle has been redesigned with a black matte glass texture, and the label now has a glow-in-the-dark BSB logo on the front that seems built for bottle service.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024
Gavin Blair of the venerable Jamaican group, collective, and label Equiknoxx.
—Erin MacLeod, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2024
Spotify paid record labels, artists and others more than $9 billion last year – from $13.2 billion in revenue.
—Lucas Shaw, Fortune Europe, 3 Apr. 2024
Thank you to Rosetta Tharpe, Miss Tracy Chapman, Linda Martell, Prince, Stevie Wonder, André 3000, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, and so many more who defied any label placed upon them.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2024
If the sap is fresh, wait 15 minutes after diluting and spreading the cleaner as the label advises; if the sap is more than a few days old, wait longer, Ramirez said.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
In front of the paparazzi, Jenner played it cool, making sure to flash the Sprinter label on her can while walking from her SUV to the party door.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2024
Verb
The society warns that some eclipse glasses are labeled as ISO-compliant but have not been properly tested.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The technology used cameras and sensors to track items customers left its stores with, but actually relied on over 1,000 workers in India who watched and labeled videos to check for accuracy.
—Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
In fact, labeling them as gifted may actually decrease their odds of success.
—Mary C. Murphy, TIME, 2 Apr. 2024
In some cases, students were labeled defiant or disorderly for fighting, throwing chairs or even hitting a teacher.
—Sarah Butrymowicz, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
The distillery could have labeled it as a finished bourbon after using the Cognac cask for secondary maturation, but decided to call it American whiskey instead.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2024
The document is labeled confidential but was filed in San Diego federal court earlier this year as part of the class-action lawsuit.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024
After her release, maintaining her image of class and refinement was more important than ever, as she was routinely labeled a criminal in the press.
—Paul Alexander, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024
Products that contain real licorice are usually labeled as such and list licorice extract or glycyrrhizic acid among the ingredients.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 30 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
Phrases Containing label
Dictionary Entries Near label
Cite this Entry
“Label.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/label. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids 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)
More from Merriam-Webster on label
Nglish: Translation of label for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of label for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about label
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