Diagram vs. Label — What's the Difference?

A diagram is a symbolic representation of information using visualization techniques. Diagrams have been used since ancient times on walls of caves, but became more prevalent during the Enlightenment.

A label (as distinct from signage) is a piece of paper, plastic film, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or product, on which is written or printed information or symbols about the product or item. Information printed directly on a container or article can also be considered labelling.

A simplified drawing showing the appearance, structure, or workings of something; a schematic representation

An item used to identify something or someone, as a small piece of paper or cloth attached to an article to designate its origin, owner, contents, use, or destination.

Represent (something) in graphic form

A descriptive term; an epithet.

A plan, sketch, drawing, or outline designed to demonstrate or explain how something works or to clarify the relationship between the parts of a whole.

A distinctive name or trademark identifying a product or manufacturer, especially a recording company.

(Mathematics) A graphic representation of an algebraic or geometric relationship.

(Architecture) A molding over a door or window; a dripstone.

A chart or graph.

(Heraldry) A figure in a field consisting of a narrow horizontal bar with several pendants.

To indicate or represent by or as if by a diagram.

(Chemistry) See tracer.

A plan, drawing, sketch or outline to show how something works, or show the relationships between the parts of a whole.

To attach a label to

A graph or chart.

To identify or designate with a descriptive term; describe or classify

(category theory) A functor from an index category to another category. The objects and morphisms of the index category need not have any internal substance, but rather merely outline the connective structure of at least some part of the diagram's codomain. If the index category is J and the codomain is C, then the diagram is said to be "of type J in C".

(Chemistry) To add a tracer to (a compound).

(transitive) To represent or indicate something using a diagram.

A small ticket or sign giving information about something to which it is attached or intended to be attached.

(UK) To schedule the operations of a locomotive or train according to a diagram.

A name given to something or someone to categorise them as part of a particular social group.

A figure or drawing made to illustrate a statement, or facilitate a demonstration; a plan.

(music) A company that sells records.

Any simple drawing made for mathematical or scientific purposes, or to assist a verbal explanation which refers to it; a mechanical drawing, as distinguished from an artistical one.

(computing) A user-defined alias for a numerical designation, the reverse of an enumeration.

To put into the form of a diagram.

(computing) A named place in source code that can be jumped to using a GOTO or equivalent construct.

A drawing intended to explain how something works; a drawing showing the relation between the parts

(heraldry) A charge resembling the strap crossing the horse’s chest from which pendants are hung.

Make a schematic or technical drawing of that shows how things work or how they are constructed

(obsolete) A tassel.

A small strip, especially of paper or parchment (or of some material attached to parchment to carry the seal), but also of iron, brass, land, etc.

A piece of writing added to something, such as a codicil appended to a will.

(historical) A brass rule with sights, formerly used with a circumferentor to take altitudes.

(architecture) The projecting moulding by the sides, and over the tops, of openings in mediaeval architecture.

In mediaeval and later art, a representation of a band or scroll containing an inscription.

(graphical user interface) A non-interactive control or widget displaying text, often used to describe the purpose of another control.

(transitive) To put a label (a ticket or sign) on (something).

(ditransitive) To give a label to (someone or something) in order to categorise that person or thing.

(biochemistry) To replace specific atoms by their isotope in order to track the presence or movement of this isotope through a reaction, metabolic pathway or cell.

(biochemistry) To add a detectable substance, either transiently or permanently, to a biological substance in order to track the presence of the label-substance combination either in situ or in vitro

A tassel.

A slip of silk, paper, parchment, etc., affixed to anything, and indicating, usually by an inscription, the contents, ownership, destination, etc.; as, the label of a bottle or a package.

A slip of ribbon, parchment, etc., attached to a document to hold the appended seal; also, the seal.

A writing annexed by way of addition, as a codicil added to a will.

A barrulet, or, rarely, a bendlet, with pendants, or points, usually three, especially used as a mark of cadency to distinguish an eldest or only son while his father is still living.

A brass rule with sights, formerly used, in connection with a circumferentor, to take altitudes.

The name now generally given to the projecting molding by the sides, and over the tops, of openings in mediæval architecture. It always has a square form, as in the illustration.

In mediæval art, the representation of a band or scroll containing an inscription.

To affix a label to; to mark with a name, etc.; as, to label a bottle or a package.

To affix in or on a label.

A brief description given for purposes of identification;

Trade name of a company that produces musical recordings;

A radioactive isotope that is used in a compound in order to trace the mechanism of a chemical reaction

An identifying or descriptive marker that is attached to an object

Assign a label to; designate with a label;

Attach a tag or label to;

Pronounce judgment on;

Distinguish (as a compound or molecule) by introducing a labeled atom

Distinguish (an element or atom) by using a radioactive isotope or an isotope of unusual mass for tracing through chemical reactions