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

As promulgated last month, ballots must use envelopes with an election-mail logo that can to be scanned using high-speed processing equipment and contain a barcode unique to each voter. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026

In early September, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin asked the Justice Department to investigate whether voter systems that count votes from barcodes and QR codes are in compliance with federal standards. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026

The officials argued that there is not enough time to redesign ballot envelopes, add unique barcodes, create compatible voter lists and train workers to use a new federal ballot portal. — Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

Election officials would submit voters’ names, addresses, and corresponding barcode information through a portal operated by the federal government. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 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