plural codes
Definition of code
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a systematic statement of a body of law
especially
: one given statutory force
2
: a system of principles or rules
moral code
3a
: 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
c
: coded language : a word or phrase chosen in place of another word or phrase in order to communicate an attitude or meaning without stating it explicitly
The strategy also appealed to blue-collar workers in the Northeast and Northwest who were opposed to "forced bussing." This was expressed in code as favoring "law and order" and opposing "crime in the streets."— Elizabeth Drew
—usually used with for I hear the word "development" a lot in public speech; politicians and activists use it as code for a lot of things—jobs, health care, a change in leadership.— Sallie TisdaleThis quarter-century of Republican momentum was reversed finally by Bill Clinton, who called himself a "New Democrat," code for "not a liberal."— Joshua Muravchik
4
: genetic code
5
: instructions for a computer (as within a piece of software)
writing code for a new app
code
verb
coded; coding
Definition of code (Entry 2 of 2)
: to put in or into the form or symbols of a code
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.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for code
The first known use of code was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century