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

In Oregon, Read said, the state has people prove their citizenship before sending them a ballot that is individually tracked with a barcode. —Josh Meyer, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026

Many grocery chains now require shoppers to log in, scan barcodes or load digital coupons to get the lowest prices. —Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026

Trump is also calling for ballots to have secure envelopes with unique barcodes for tracking, according to the executive order. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026

Designed for field work, its ultra-sensitive touchscreen tracks accurately even with gloves on or in humid conditions, and customizable Hot Keys allow for instant integration of push-to-talk or barcode scanning features. —Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026

Trump Order Targets Voter Rolls and Mail Ballots Under the order, ballots would be required to include secure envelopes with unique barcodes that allow for tracking, according to the directive. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026

And of those distributors, how many of them are ones who use the supplemental barcodes in the red line boxes? —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026

From droppings-mimicking spiders in Borneo to a tiny gecko tucked under bark in India, these creatures have been quietly perfecting their disguises while science is only now catching up — one DNA barcode, one micro-CT scan at a time. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026

The Department of Justice on Wednesday published an emergency rulemaking package requesting that firearms dealers be allowed and required to get new barcode scanning systems to adjust to the new ID design, which rolled out in October, according to a department news release. —Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 25 Feb. 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