NOUN (2)

1. an emblem (a small piece of plastic or cloth or metal) that signifies your status (rank or membership or affiliation etc.);
- Example: "they checked everyone's badge before letting them in"

2. any feature that is regarded as a sign of status (a particular power or quality or rank);
- Example: "wearing a tie was regarded as a badge of respectability"


VERB (1)

1. put a badge on;
- Example: "The workers here must be badged"

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Badge \Badge\ (b[a^]j), n. [LL. bagea, bagia, sign, prob. of
   German origin; cf. AS. be['a]g, be['a]h, bracelet, collar,
   crown, OS. b[=o]g- in comp., AS. b[=u]gan to bow, bend, G.
   biegen. See Bow to bend.]
   1. A distinctive mark, token, sign, or cognizance, worn on
      the person; as, the badge of a society; the badge of a
      policeman. "Tax gatherers, recognized by their official
      badges." --Prescott.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Something characteristic; a mark; a token.
      [1913 Webster]

            Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Naut.) A carved ornament on the stern of a vessel,
      containing a window or the representation of one.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Badge \Badge\ (b[a^]j), v. t.
   To mark or distinguish with a badge.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

badge
    n 1: an emblem (a small piece of plastic or cloth or metal) that
         signifies your status (rank or membership or affiliation
         etc.); "they checked everyone's badge before letting them
         in"
    2: any feature that is regarded as a sign of status (a
       particular power or quality or rank); "wearing a tie was
       regarded as a badge of respectability"
    v 1: put a badge on; "The workers here must be badged"