barcode

noun

bar·​code ˈbär-ˌkōd 

variants or less commonly bar code

plural barcodes also bar codes

1

: a code consisting of a group of printed and variously patterned bars and spaces and sometimes numerals that is designed to be scanned and read into computer memory and that contains information (such as identification) about the object it labels

… one version of the barcode reader used in supermarkets employs a laser scanner.

—Science

I on the other hand boarded the traditional way. I handed my paper printout to the airport personnel, who scanned the barcode before letting me proceed.

—Sanjeeb Patel

2

biology : something (such as a DNA sequence) that uniquely identifies a species of organism

… they now plan to analyze each fish sample by decoding a certain tiny piece of DNA that can serve as a unique bar code for the species.

—Christen Brownlee

bar-coded

ˈbär-ˌkō-dəd 

adjective

bar coding noun

Examples of barcode in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Uber now requires a valid ID and has drivers scan the back barcode or, if presented with a passport, use a third-party verification system operated through the firm Au10tix. —Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024

To help with this goal, BFP has developed the free Cruelty Cutter app, which allows users to scan a product's barcode and learn if animal testing was used to create the product. —Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024

Businesses can maintain the quality of the flowers by monitoring and controlling the temperature fluctuations throughout the supply chain by utilizing barcodes and sensor technologies. —Oyku Ilgar, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024

There are barcode tattoos, barcode conspiracy theories, barcode presidential scandals, and buildings on four continents designed to resemble barcodes. —Saahil Desai, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2024

In this method, scientists pull out individual cells from a piece of tissue, break them open to expose the genetic messengers inside, then use tags akin to tiny barcodes to identify that material. —Popular Science, 12 Oct. 2023

Such dizzying choices are made possible by an amazing piece of technology: the barcode. —Saahil Desai, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2024

To address the problem, the team made small, 30-nucleotide-long DNA snippets that acted like unique barcodes for different biomarkers. —IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2023

Products: Find out the name and details of products by scanning their barcodes. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 16 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bar code

noun

: a code made up of a group of printed and variously spaced bars and sometimes numerals that is designed to be scanned and read into computer memory and that contains information (as identification) about the object it labels