descriptor
noun
de·scrip·tor di-ˈskrip-tər 
: something (such as a word or characteristic feature) that serves to describe or identify
especially : a word or phrase (such as an index term) used to identify an item (such as a subject or document) in an information retrieval system
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web For all the series’ emphasis on giving us The Clintons: Unfiltered, this feels like one of the rare moments when that descriptor seems accurate. 
Caroline Framke, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 This particular spread is for the brand's new The Bold lipstick formula — an apt descriptor for the young pop star and the 12 bullet, satin lipsticks, available in various shades of red and pink. Gabi Thorne, Allure, 26 Aug. 2022 Nimble isn’t really a great descriptor for a 5,000-lb SUV, but at least the handling is fairly precise and reasonably well balanced. Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 Use a descriptor and no name, even when a person is willing to be called by only one name. WSJ, 15 July 2022 Jenna Bush Hager just wants to be called mom — no additional descriptor needed. Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 12 May 2022 Refusing to disappoint in buzzwords and phrases, Metaverse is the technology industry’s latest descriptor for the interconnectedness of all things. Paige Francis, Forbes, 7 May 2022 University of Chicago researchers used machine learning tools to demonstrate that Black patients are more than twice as likely as white patients to have at least one negative descriptor in their EHR. Kim Gallon, STAT, 28 June 2022 Supermoon is also a descriptor for a type of moon only seen only a few times a year, as is some of the beer that Brennan creates. Jordyn Noennig, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 31 May 2022 See More
Caroline Framke, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 This particular spread is for the brand's new The Bold lipstick formula — an apt descriptor for the young pop star and the 12 bullet, satin lipsticks, available in various shades of red and pink. Gabi Thorne, Allure, 26 Aug. 2022 Nimble isn’t really a great descriptor for a 5,000-lb SUV, but at least the handling is fairly precise and reasonably well balanced. Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 Use a descriptor and no name, even when a person is willing to be called by only one name. WSJ, 15 July 2022 Jenna Bush Hager just wants to be called mom — no additional descriptor needed. Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 12 May 2022 Refusing to disappoint in buzzwords and phrases, Metaverse is the technology industry’s latest descriptor for the interconnectedness of all things. Paige Francis, Forbes, 7 May 2022 University of Chicago researchers used machine learning tools to demonstrate that Black patients are more than twice as likely as white patients to have at least one negative descriptor in their EHR. Kim Gallon, STAT, 28 June 2022 Supermoon is also a descriptor for a type of moon only seen only a few times a year, as is some of the beer that Brennan creates. Jordyn Noennig, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 31 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see describe
First Known Use
1946, in the meaning defined above