badge

[baj]

noun

1. a special or distinctive mark, token, or device worn as a sign of allegiance, membership, authority, achievement, etc..

   a police badge;

   a merit badge.

   Synonyms: earmark, hallmark, seal, shield, insignia

2. any emblem, token, or distinctive mark.

   He thinks rich people buy art mainly as a badge of their sophistication and success.

3. a card bearing identifying information, as one's name, symbol or place of employment, or academic affiliation, and often worn pinned to one's clothing.

4. Digital Technology.,  digital badge.

verb (used with object)

badged, badging 

1. to furnish or mark with a badge.

badge

/ bædʒ /

noun

1. a distinguishing emblem or mark worn to signify membership, employment, achievement, etc

2. any revealing feature or mark

Other Word Forms

• badgeless adjective
• unbadged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of badge¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English baggys (plural); akin to Anglo-French bage “badge, emblem”; further origin unknown

Word History and Origins

Origin of badge¹

C14: from Norman French bage ; related to Anglo-Latin bagia

Example Sentences

Malema seemed unfazed by his conviction, telling supporters that "going to prison or death is a badge of honour".

From BBC

“Get your cell phones out — record what you see. Put it on social media. Peacefully ask for badge numbers and identification. Speak up for your neighbors,” the governor posted on social media.

From Salon

A point driven home by a pile of velcro badges and passports, ripped from the arms and pockets of dead Russian soldiers, which the soldiers have brought back from the front.

From BBC

Shoulder badges indicated that the remains could include soldiers who had fought for two Scottish regiments - the Gordon Highlanders and the Cameron Highlanders.

From BBC

At an ICE career expo in Texas last month, the agency at times turned away anyone who didn’t already have authorization to carry a badge or an honorable discharge from the military.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• identification 
• insignia 
• marker 
• medallion 
• pin 
• ribbon 
• stamp 
• symbol 
• token 

When To Use

What does badge mean?

A badge is a small object or card used to identify oneself in an official way. Most commonly, badge refers to the small metal medallion worn or carried by police officers or other law enforcement members. They’re often shaped like shields or stars.Badge also commonly refers to the official identification card of a worker, especially one that’s pinned to their clothing or worn on a lanyard or cord around their neck. Such badges are often used for security purposes—having a badge allows a worker to enter the building or access certain parts of it.Example: You pull another stunt like that and I’ll have you turn in your badge, Officer Hotshot!