dog tag

American  

noun

1. a small disk or strip attached to a dog's harness or collar stating owner, home, etc.

2. identification tag.

3. Informal.

   1. any tag for a suitcase, camera, or other personal possession with the owner's name or address.

   2. a tag or card with a person's name or affiliation, worn at conventions, large meetings, etc.

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dog tag British  

noun

1. slang a military personal-identification disc

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Etymology

Origin of dog tag

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

At Lehmann Maupin, looking at South Korea’s policy of mandatory military service, Do Ho Suh has created a garment—part suit of armor, part ceremonial robe—out of more than 500 dog tags.

From The Wall Street Journal

His wife lost the military fatigues her father wore when he was killed in Iraq, though the couple recovered his dog tags and “challenge coin.”

From Los Angeles Times

The enemy had removed and scattered their dog tags.

From BBC

Indoors hang Pte Stone's Army dog tags – the identification discs he was wearing when he died.

From BBC

All prisoners’ dog tags start with the letter K, which stands for “kolonya” or prison colony.

From BBC

Related Words

• description
• passport
• recognition
• testimony