Definition of "badge" in English

noun

1. A distinctive mark, token, sign, emblem or cognizance, worn on one’s clothing, as an insignia of some rank, or of the membership of an organization.

   • the badge of a society; the badge of a policeman

2. A small nameplate, identifying the wearer, and often giving additional information.

3. A card, sometimes with a barcode or magnetic strip, granting access to a certain area.

4. Something characteristic; a mark; a token.

5. (obsolete, thieves' cant) A brand on the hand of a thief, etc.

   • He has got his badge, and piked.

6. (nautical) A carved ornament on the stern of a vessel, containing a window or the representation of one.

7. (heraldry) A distinctive mark worn by servants, retainers, and followers of royalty or nobility, who, being beneath the rank of gentlemen, have no right to armorial bearings.

8. (graphical user interface) A small overlay on an icon that shows additional information about that item, such as the number of new alerts or messages.

9. (Internet, video games) An icon or emblem awarded to a user for some achievement.

   • When you have checked in to the site from ten different cities, you unlock the Traveller badge.

10. (slang) A police officer.

verb

1. (transitive) To mark or distinguish with a badge.

   • The television was badged as ‘GE’, but wasn’t made by them.

2. (transitive) To show a badge to.

   • He calmed down a lot when the policeman badged him.

3. (ambitransitive) To enter a restricted area by showing one’s badge.