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

Boarding passes contain private data, not only what’s printed on the physical boarding pass itself, but also what’s found using the barcode and booking reference. — Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026

The Food and Drug Administration recall announcement Tuesday urges customers to check their products against the barcode, lane number and best-before dates printed on the back of the pouches. — Sophie Ziedalski, NBC news, 23 July 2026

Day-use reservation receipts and barcode must be presented while entering the park. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026

Shoppers can scan or tap an item’s barcode to pull up an instant breakdown of nutrition facts. — Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 13 July 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