[count] 1 : a small object (such as a tag, pin, or metal shield) that is worn or held up by a person so that it can be easily seen, that has writing (such as a person's name) and often a picture on it, and that shows who the person is
▪ The policeman flashed his badge. ▪ Don't forget to wear your name badge. ▪ The receptionist glanced at my visitor's badge. 2 : a cloth patch that can be sewn onto clothing and that is awarded to a person (such as a Boy Scout or Girl Scout) for doing something
▪ She earned 10 merit badges in scouting. 3 Brit : ¹button 2
▪ She was wearing a badge that read “Support your local library.” 4 : something that represents or is a sign of something else
▪ She viewed her failures as a badge of humanity. ▪ He wore his ethnic heritage as a badge of honor/pride. [=he was proud of his ethnic heritage and did not try to hide it]