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label

n. · v.
US //ˈɫeɪbəɫ// UK //lˈeɪbəl// la·bel
  1. 1 information tag (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a small piece of paper, fabric, or plastic attached to something to give information about it.

    a slip of paper, cloth, or other material attached to an object to provide descriptive or identifying information.

    Example

    Always check the washing instructions on the label before you clean your new sweater.

    Example

    The shipping department ensures that every outgoing crate has a clear destination label to prevent logistical errors during transit.
  2. 2 social category (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a word or phrase used to describe a person or group, often in a way that is too simple.

    a descriptive term or classifying phrase applied to a person or group, often carrying social or psychological implications.

    Example

    He dislikes the label 'troublemaker' because he was just asking difficult questions.

    Example

    Sociologists argue that applying a negative label to a student can influence their academic performance through a self-fulfilling prophecy.
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  1. 3 record company (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Music

    a company that records and sells music.

    a commercial brand or company that produces, distributes, and promotes musical recordings.

    Example

    The band signed a deal with a major label after their song went viral.

    Example

    Independent labels often provide artists with more creative freedom than the multinational corporations that dominate the industry.
  2. 4 computing/interface (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    text on a computer screen that explains what a button or box is for.

    a non-interactive user interface element that displays text to identify or describe another control.

    Example

    The label next to the text box says 'Enter your email address'.

    Example

    The developer updated the accessibility labels to ensure that screen readers could accurately describe the form's input fields.
  3. 5 to attach a tag (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to put a piece of paper or a tag on something to give information.

    to affix a physical or digital tag to an object for identification or description.

    Example

    Please label your luggage clearly so it doesn't get lost at the airport.

    Example

    The laboratory technician carefully labelled each specimen jar with the date, time, and patient identification number.
  4. 6 to categorise someone (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to describe someone or something using a specific word or category.

    to assign a person or thing to a category, often based on a single characteristic.

    Example

    It is unfair to label all teenagers as lazy just because of a few examples.

    Example

    Critics were quick to label the new policy as a failure before the government had even begun the implementation phase.
  5. 7 scientific tracking (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    to add a special substance to something so that scientists can track it.

    to incorporate a radioactive or fluorescent substance into a molecule to track its progress through a system.

    Example

    The researchers labelled the cells with a glowing dye to see how they moved.

    Example

    By labelling the glucose molecules with carbon-14, the scientists were able to map the metabolic pathway in real time.
Origin

From Middle English label (“narrow band, strip of cloth”), from Old French label, lambel (Modern French lambeau), from Frankish lappā (“torn piece of cloth”), from Proto-Germanic lappǭ, lappô (“cloth stuff, rag, scraps, flap, dewlap, lobe, rabbit ear”), from Proto-Indo-European leb- (“blade”). Cognate with Old High German lappa (“rag, piece of cloth”), Old English læppa (“skirt, flap of a garment”). More at lap.

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