noun

1. Archaic
   1. a narrow band of cloth, etc.; fillet
   2. a narrow strip of ribbon attached to a document to hold the seal
2. a card, strip of paper, etc. marked and attached to an object to indicate its nature, contents, ownership, destination, etc.
3. a descriptive word or phrase applied to a person, group, theory, etc. as a convenient generalized classification
4. ☆ an identifying brand, as of a company producing recorded music
5. 1. a company producing and distributing prerecorded discs, tapes, etc.
   2. such a tape, disc, etc.
6. tracer ()
7. Archit. a projecting molding over a door, window, etc.
8. Heraldry a horizontal bar with several dependent points on the coat of arms of an eldest son

Etymology: OFr, a rag, strip < Frank *labba, akin to OHG lappa, a rag, shred: for IE base see lap

transitive verb labeled -·beled or labelled -·belled, labeling -·bel·ing or labelling -·bel·ling

1. to attach a label to; mark with a label
2. to classify as; call; describe
3. 1. to differentiate (an element, atom, etc.) by introducing a radioactive isotope or an isotope of unusual mass that may be readily traced through a complex process
   2. to incorporate a labeled element into (a molecule, compound, material, etc.)