code

noun \ ˈkōd \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of code

1 : a systematic statement of a body of law; especially : one given statutory force

2 : a system of principles or rules

moral code

3 a : a system of signals or symbols for communication

b : a system of symbols (such as letters or numbers) used to represent assigned and often secret meanings

4 : genetic code

5 : instructions for a computer (as within a piece of software)

writing code for a new app

—

codeless

play \ˈkōd-ləs\ adjective

See code defined for English-language learners

See code defined for kids

Examples of code in a Sentence

Everyone in the organization has to follow its code of ethics.
The army has a strict code of conduct.
The enemy was unable to break the army's secret code.
The message was sent in code.
Every item in the store has a product code.
Enter your security code to access the computer.
Each employee is given a code number.
He was hired to write programming code.

Recent Examples of code from the Web

Order online and use promo code HEATWIN pic.twitter.com/sRR4mlBoWQ — Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 5, 2018 Udonis Haslem reacts to Dwyane Wade being traded back to the Miami Heat on Feb. 8, 2018.

— jordan mcpherson, miamiherald, "Udonis Haslem almost gifted Hawks fans free Chick-fil-A. Then he made a free throw | Miami Herald," 5 Apr. 2018
The business filed for bankruptcy in late February under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code, which can allow a struggling business to reorganize and stay open under court supervision while new payment terms are set for its creditors.

— katy moeller and david staats, idahostatesman, "This Treasure Valley gun dealer closes its doors, seeks bankruptcy protection | Idaho Statesman," 4 Apr. 2018
His tenure was defined by an ability to maintain the house codes (skinny suits, techno-futurism, lots of black) that Slimane and Co. established.

— matt sebra, GQ, "Berluti’s New Designer Is a Menswear Heavyweight," 3 Apr. 2018
The customer then would have to use the six-digit code and his normal four-digit PIN to withdraw money.

— cleveland.com, "Fifth Third introduces ATMs that use your phone, not a card; PNC and Chase will follow," 29 Mar. 2018
An extra 10% off online using the code SAVE10 Sale dates: Local hours vary by location, but the majority of stores will be open from 6 p.m. on Thursday through 2 p.m. on Friday.

— madison alcedo, Country Living, "HURRY: eBay Is Selling KitchenAid Stand Mixers for Half Off Today," 28 Mar. 2018
Brightline is offering a 50 percent discount for riders using the code DFIT2018.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "South Florida's holiday weekend filled with Easter egg events, fitness fest," 28 Mar. 2018
Print the coupon or order online using promo code 31886 at checkout.

— doreen christensen, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Free chicken pot pie with purchase at Boston Market," 27 Mar. 2018
Simply use the code GLOW18 during your online checkout, and the deal is yours.

— maria cassano, Allure, "Dermstore's Skin-Care Event Sale Is Offering 20 Percent Off Your Favorite Brands," 26 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'code.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of code

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin caudex, codex trunk of a tree, document formed originally from wooden tablets

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

code Synonyms

Synonyms

canon, constitution, decalogue, law;

Related Words

discipline, establishment;

common law, legislation;

code

verb

Definition of code

coded; coding

transitive verb

: to put in or into the form or symbols of a code

intransitive verb

1 : to specify the genetic code

a gene that codes for a protein

2 : to create or edit computer code

She got a job coding for Google.

—

codable

play \ˈkō-də-bəl\ adjective

—

coder

noun

See code defined for English-language learners

Examples of code in a Sentence

The general sent a coded message.
Each product has been coded.

Recent Examples of code from the Web

Model-entrepreneur Karlie Kloss is hosting four free summer camps in the Chicago area to empower girls to learn how to code and become tech leaders.

— tracy swartz, chicagotribune.com, "Model Karlie Kloss hosting four summer coding camps in Chicago area," 2 Apr. 2018
Both hearken back to the beginning days of the internet when HTML was the primary way to code a page and embedding a link could have been considered an accomplishment.

— shannon liao, The Verge, "Reddit begins rolling out first redesign in a decade," 2 Apr. 2018
Then, as the logic goes, students would be prepared for an employment marketplace increasingly dominated by computer science fields and those who know how to code.

— ryan smith, Chicago Reader, "News / Technology / The Internet Apple CEO Tim Cook's undercooked plan to help underserved Chicago schools: $300 iPads; app development for all," 29 Mar. 2018
The wide-ranging discussion touched on everything from Apple's latest classroom products and efforts to improve education — Cook urged everyone of all ages to learn how to code to survive the changing jobs market — to politics, to other tech titans.

— NBC News, "Apple CEO Tim Cook slams Facebook: Privacy 'is a human right, it's a civil liberty'," 28 Mar. 2018
The charity aims to teach 1 million black girls to code by 2040.

— lee mannion, The Christian Science Monitor, "Black Girls Code seeks to build diversity in tech," 28 Mar. 2018
The more than $1 million that Rashaed has spent on buying properties in Ohio could have been used in Milwaukee to bring his properties up to code, Decker said.

— cary spivak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Judge strips Milwaukee landlord Elijah Rashaed's control over his central city properties," 27 Mar. 2018
While volunteering at a homeless shelter last summer that featured a program teaching young women how to code, the two founders saw talent and drive, as well as the economic barriers that hold promising careers back.

— patrick sisson, Curbed, "A historic home, rebooted as an incubator for women of color who code," 22 Mar. 2018
The American cockroach has genes that code for more than 150 scent receptors and 500 taste receptors, the most found in any insect so far.

— kimberly hickok, Science | AAAS, "American cockroaches thrive in cities, thanks to their incredibly long genomes," 20 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of code

1815

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

CODE Defined for English Language Learners

code

noun

Definition of code for English Language Learners

: a set of laws or regulations
: a set of ideas or rules about how to behave
: a set of letters, numbers, symbols, etc., that is used to secretly send messages to someone

code

verb

Definition of code for English Language Learners

: to put (a message) into the form of a code so that it can be kept secret
: to mark (something) with a code so that it can be identified
: to change (information) into a set of letters, numbers, or symbols that can be read by a computer

CODE Defined for Kids

code

noun \ ˈkōd \

Definition of code for Students

1 : a system of rules or principles

a code of conduct

2 : a system of signals or letters and symbols with special meanings used for sending messages

3 : a collection of laws

criminal code

4 : genetic code

5 : a set of instructions for a computer

code

verb

Definition of code for Students

coded; coding

: to put in the form of a code

Medical Dictionary

code

noun \ ˈkōd \

medical Definition of code

1 : genetic code

2 : code blue

code

verb

medical Definition of code

coded; coding

transitive verb

: to specify the genetic code for

an amino acid coded by a nucleotide sequence

intransitive verb

1 : to specify the genetic code

the DNA sequence of the gene that codes for that protein
—Gina B. Kolata

2 : to experience cardiac arrest or respiratory failure

They were taking her up to the operating room and she coded in the hallway. The resuscitation effort was heroic.
—Perri Klass, Discover, November 1986

Law Dictionary

code

noun

legal Definition of code

1 : a systematic compilation or revision of law or legal principles that is arranged especially by subject: as

a : one that contains the law of a specific jurisdiction or topic promulgated by legislative authority

U.S. Code

Code of Massachusetts Regulations

building code

— compare case law, digest, statute

b : one that serves as a model for legislation but is not itself a law

Model Penal Code

2 : a set of rules or regulations that is promulgated by a body (as a professional organization) and that regulates its industrial or professional practices