# badge

/ˈbædʒ/ (US) · /bˈædʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/badge
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. identification emblem

noun · CEFR B1

a small object you wear on your clothes to show who you are or what group you belong to.

For teachers: a distinctive emblem or insignia worn on clothing to indicate rank, office, or membership in an organisation.

- The police officer showed his badge before asking the driver for identification.
- Every conference attendee was required to wear a name badge to facilitate networking during the breakout sessions.

### 2. digital icon

noun · CEFR B2

a small picture on a website or app that shows you have finished a task or won a prize.

For teachers: a digital icon or visual indicator awarded to a user within a software environment to signify an achievement or status.

- I earned a gold badge on the language app for practicing every day for a month.
- The gamification strategy includes awarding digital badges to employees who complete the mandatory cybersecurity training modules ahead of schedule.

### 3. access card

noun · CEFR B2

a plastic card used to open doors or enter a private building.

For teachers: a security credential, often in card form with a magnetic strip or chip, used to grant access to restricted areas.

- You need to swipe your badge at the main gate to enter the office.
- The security system logs every time a staff member uses their badge to enter the laboratory after hours.

### 4. police officer

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · American English

a slang word for a police officer.

For teachers: a metonymic slang term for a law enforcement officer, derived from the physical shield they carry.

- He didn't want to talk while there was a badge standing nearby.
- The local residents were wary of any badge entering the neighborhood without a specific warrant or explanation.

Teaching tip: This usage is often found in crime dramas or informal American speech; it can sound slightly disrespectful or confrontational depending on the tone.

### 5. to scan for entry

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to use an electronic card to enter a building or room.

For teachers: to gain entry to a restricted area by scanning or presenting an identification badge.

- I forgot to badge in this morning, so the system thinks I am absent.
- Employees are required to badge out whenever they leave the secure facility, even for short breaks.

Usage: Often used as a phrasal verb with 'in' or 'out'.

## Examples

- She wears a name badge on her uniform at work.
- After completing the advanced coding module, the student received a digital badge to display on his profile.
- The officer's silver badge served as a visible symbol of his authority and his commitment to the city's safety regulations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.