badge

noun 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. 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. Sweet mercy is nobility’s true badge.
5. obsolete A brand on the hand of a thief, etc. He has got his badge, and piked.
6. A carved ornament on the stern of a vessel, containing a window or the representation of one.
7. 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. A small overlay on an icon that shows additional information about that item, such as the number of new alerts or messages.
9. Internet 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. That's why every badge back home wanted to nail him.

Similar: emblem, keycard or ID card or access card, pin

verb badges · badging · badged

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. Worden and James walk […] to the […] Courthouse […], where they badge their way past sheriff’s deputies and take the elevator to the third floor.