WordLens

label

1 of 2verb
/ˈleɪbəl/
Forms:labels,labeling,labeled,labeled
1

to stick or put something such as tag or marker, with a little information written on it, on an object

B1transitive
  • I will label the boxes with their contents for easy unpacking.
  • Please label the files on the shelf to maintain organization.
  • The librarian will label each book with its respective category.
  • She decided to label the jars in the pantry to distinguish between spices.
  • The manufacturer will label the products with important usage instructions.
2

to assign a quality to someone or something in order to categorize them

  • They labeled her as a troublemaker because of her outspoken nature.
  • The critics labeled the film as a masterpiece for its innovative storytelling.
  • Some people label him as a genius because of his remarkable inventions.
  • She was labeled as an overachiever because of her exceptional academic performance.
  • He was labeled as a rebel for his defiance of authority.
Synonyms:
3

to mark or identify a cell or compound by adding a recognizable element, like a dye or a labeled atom, making it distinguishable from others

transitive
  • The researchers labeled the protein with a fluorescent dye to visualize its distribution within the cell.
  • The laboratory technician labeled the DNA sample with a specific chemical marker for identification purposes.
  • Biologists often label antibodies with enzymes to facilitate the detection of specific proteins in tissue samples.
  • The pharmacologist labeled the drug molecule with a fluorescent tag to monitor its uptake in living organisms.
  • The microbiologist labeled bacteria with a luminescent marker to monitor their growth in culture.
4

to substitute specific atoms or elements with their isotopes to track it through a reaction, metabolic pathway, or cell

transitive
  • The chemists labeled the glucose molecules with carbon-13 isotopes to trace their metabolism in the body.
  • Researchers labeled the amino acids with nitrogen-15 isotopes to study protein synthesis in cells.
  • Scientists labeled the DNA bases with tritium isotopes to monitor DNA replication in dividing cells.
  • The biologist labeled the phospholipids with deuterium isotopes to investigate lipid turnover in membranes.