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"
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"
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 detective pinned his gold badge to his lapel to show he was a member of the police force."
In plain English: A badge is an emblem worn on clothing to show membership, rank, or achievement.
"He pinned his new police badge to his jacket."
Usage: Use "badge" to refer specifically to a physical symbol like a pin or patch that identifies group membership or authority. Do not use it interchangeably with general terms for awards unless they are literally worn on clothing as insignia.
To mark or distinguish with a badge.
"The police officer decided to badge all new recruits with their department's insignia before they went on duty."
In plain English: To badge something means to attach an official identification tag to it so people can recognize who owns it or what group they belong to.
"The security guard will badge us in at reception upon arrival."
The word "badge" comes from Middle English and originally meant a sign or emblem. Its roots likely trace back to Germanic words for rings or ornaments before entering the language as Anglo-Norman bage.