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
ScienceI 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
Sanjeeb Patel2
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
Christen Brownlee
bar coding
noun
Examples of barcode in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
What’s left is like a digital barcode for your eyeball that’s encrypted, split into pieces, and scattered across a decentralized network, kind of like a glitter bomb.
—Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 2 May 2025
The recalled products are packaged in 200g green plastic containers marked with UPC barcode 6975730520101 on the back label.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Apr. 2025
Each participant wore a little paper hat with a barcode to track their movements.
—Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
Specifically, customers can create their own designs at the kiosks, and once completed, they will be emailed a barcode.
—Peter Verry, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2025
Along with unlocking cabinets, the app offers features like tracking prescription status, viewing pricing, and speeding up in-store pickups with a personalized barcode.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 28 Jan. 2025
Look for the self-serve The Lucky Spot machines and scan the ticket barcode.
—Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press, 26 Dec. 2024
The package features the UPC barcode 6975730520101 on a black label.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Using that barcode, the store’s staff will then work alongside the customer on the final design details before placing an order.
—Peter Verry, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 2 May 2025
The recalled products are packaged in 200g green plastic containers marked with UPC barcode 6975730520101 on the back label.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Apr. 2025
Each participant wore a little paper hat with a barcode to track their movements.
—Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
Specifically, customers can create their own designs at the kiosks, and once completed, they will be emailed a barcode.
—Peter Verry, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2025
Along with unlocking cabinets, the app offers features like tracking prescription status, viewing pricing, and speeding up in-store pickups with a personalized barcode.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 28 Jan. 2025
Look for the self-serve The Lucky Spot machines and scan the ticket barcode.
—Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press, 26 Dec. 2024
The package features the UPC barcode 6975730520101 on a black label.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Using that barcode, the store’s staff will then work alongside the customer on the final design details before placing an order.
—Peter Verry, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barcode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barcode. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share