red tag
noun
a tag or other marker colored red and used to categorize something for a special purpose.
red tag
1 Americannoun
red-tag
2
American
[red-tag]
/ ˈrɛdˈtæg /
verb (used with object)
red-tagged,
red-tagging
-
to attach a red tag to, as merchandise for special sale.
-
to identify for a specific purpose; earmark.
The inspector red-tagged the restaurant for health violations.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of red-tag
First recorded in 1885–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
She described airlines as the "first line of defence" and pointed out that laws require them to isolate, put a red tag on and lock up in a secure vault any potentially "bogus parts".
From BBC ● Dec. 6, 2023
“We’re going to red tag it all,” he added.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 26, 2023
But if there’s visible damage to the heater, or if the gas company disconnects service and leaves a red tag on the furnace, take a picture and keep a copy for your records.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 10, 2023
The company flags these discounts by placing a red tag icon under qualifying merchandise.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2016
How Francie wished he could bring one and have Miss Florence pin a fish in the river and a red tag on his blouse to show that he had caught it.
From Dew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 10, March 8, 1914 by Various
Police would come every once in a while and red-tag the RVs that gathered there, Heller said.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 3, 2023
The red-tag sale sign suggested it was a bargain.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 16, 2016
Armed Forces radio broadcasts glum little ads urging G.I.s to use egg timers when they call long distance and to watch for red-tag sales at the PX.
From Time Magazine Archive
But it's a bad omen for GM that the company must rely on red-tag sales and other gimmicks to move the metal, despite great strides in vehicle quality.
From Time Magazine Archive
After the 25-foot-deep hole swallowed Cage’s driveway, the city of Malibu red-tagged 31 homes on the street, forcing evacuations since the damage blocks the only route in and out of the beach side neighborhood.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
Officials have red-tagged two properties, including a duplex with three units.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
Five homes had been red-tagged as of Tuesday morning, according to the city, and officials “will continue to assess the situation to determine safety concerns for the surrounding area.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
Investigators served a search warrant, resulting in 17 arrests and the business being red-tagged, according to the release.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 9, 2026
On a narrow-fronted ground floor was the crowded little laundry with its red-lettered sign, its uncurtained windows, its shelves of red-tagged parcels, and its ever-present odor of borax.
From Stories from Everybody's Magazine by Various
Second, red-tagging kratom products would directly affect his Authentic Kratom and the livelihood of his seven full-time employees.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2025
Inspectors will be sent to retailers next week to begin red-tagging illegal products containing the compounds, the L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2025
Gregory and her team set about taking measurements of the cars and their trajectories and red-tagging any evidence, which would be transported to N.T.S.B. or Amtrak facilities for cataloging and three-dimensional scanning.
From New York Times ● Jan. 26, 2016
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
