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

Think back to the barcode era when retailers first generated systematic data. — Nandan Sheth, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Details like your unique passenger name record (PNR) and even a scannable barcode can enable someone to access your booking. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026

Gated community residents can text a barcode that their guests present to the guard at the entrance. — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2026

The growing interest in ingredients has helped fuel the popularity of nutrition apps such as Yuka, Bobby Approved and Zoe, which let users scan a product’s barcode to see a health score. — Jing Feng, NBC news, 22 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for barcode

• abode
• anode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• crossroad
• decode

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