Badge

English

Etymology

From Late Latin bagea, bagia (“sign”), of Germanic origin; compare with Old English bēag, bēah (“bracelet, collar, crown”).

Pronunciation

• IPA: /bædʒ/, SAMPA: /b{dZ/
• Rhymes: -ædʒ

Noun

Badge (plural Badges)

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

Derived terms

• badge bunny
• badger

Verb

Badge (third-person singular simple present Badges, present participle badging, simple past and past participle badged)

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