ENGLISH
REFERENCE

labeled

v. · adj.
US //ˈɫeɪbəɫd// la·beled
  1. 1 described as (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    to have described someone or something using a specific word, often unfairly.

    to have assigned a person or thing to a category, often in a restrictive or oversimplified manner.

    Example

    The media labeled him a hero after he helped the family escape the fire.

    Example

    Critics labeled the new policy a failure before the government even had a chance to implement the first phase of the rollout.
  2. 2 having a tag (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate American English

    describes something that already has a tag or information on it.

    bearing a label or identifying mark; used as a participial adjective.

    Example

    Please put the labeled bottles on the top shelf and the empty ones in the bin.

    Example

    The laboratory technician insisted that only clearly labeled samples be admitted for testing to avoid any risk of cross-contamination.
    • unlabeled
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  1. 3 radioactive tracing (adj.)
    C1 Advanced American English Technical Science

    in science, describes a molecule where one part is replaced by a special atom so it can be tracked.

    referring to a compound in which one or more atoms have been replaced by a radioactive or stable isotope to track its path through a system.

    Example

    The scientists used a labeled glucose molecule to see how the body uses sugar.

    Example

    By introducing a labeled isotope into the reaction, the researchers were able to map the metabolic pathway with unprecedented precision.

    Usage

    Usually appears before the noun it modifies in scientific reports.

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