code

noun

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\ ˈkōd

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)

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.

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Other Words from code

Noun

codeless \ ˈkōd-ləs

\ adjective

Verb

codable \ ˈkō-də-bəl

\ adjective

coder noun

Synonyms for code

Synonyms: Noun

Examples of code in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun In 1952, the code-breaker Alan Turing was convicted of gross indecency and opted for chemical castration instead of prison. — Jeremy Lybarger, The New Republic, "The Turbulent Life of Francis Bacon," 7 Apr. 2021 Schrems and Noyb also made ePrivacy complaints in November about Apple and the IDFA tracking code used in its iPhones. — David Meyer, Fortune, "Privacy activist Max Schrems targets Google over unstoppable Android user tracking," 7 Apr. 2021 These food establishments were closed or fined because of health code violations. — Washington Post, "Health code violations in the District, Maryland and Virginia," 7 Apr. 2021 The housing voucher standards are no more strict than the housing standards in the City of Akron’s building code, according to Green-Hull. — Robin Goist, cleveland, "Akron seeks to help renters with ‘pay-to-stay,’ source-of-income discrimination laws," 6 Apr. 2021 During the Madewell sale, which runs now through April 7, the brand is offering up to 40% off site-wide with code SPRINGITON. — Kara Cuzzone, Forbes, "Behold, The 7 Best Things To Buy At Madewell’s Spring Sale," 6 Apr. 2021 Along with these savings, all Sephora Collection items will be discounted by 30% for rewards members from April 9 to 19, with no code needed. — Jennifer Aldrich, Better Homes & Gardens, "9 Beloved Beauty Products You Need from the Sephora Spring Savings Event," 6 Apr. 2021 His suit didn't name the sources of these claims, other than to say one of them was code-named Spider. — Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Gov. Tony Evers seeks $250,000 from Trump and GOP official to pay for legal fees in 'frivolous' election lawsuits," 1 Apr. 2021 One of the most extraordinary omissions to date is the central role played by Moody, a 38-year-old code-breaking whiz and the head of the NSA’s Cuba desk during the perilous fall of 1962. — Susan Seubert, Smithsonian Magazine, "The Once-Classified Tale of Juanita Moody," 24 Feb. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The students will learn to code as well; with some older students using game creation engines such as Unity. — Washington Post, "U.S. State Department announces new video game diplomacy program," 7 Apr. 2021 The company also said that its Swift Student Challenge, which encourages young developers to code a Swift playground, is accepting submissions. — Chris Smith, BGR, "Apple just announced WWDC 2021," 30 Mar. 2021 In Box Elder, for instance, the district reported in 2006 that 24 of its 29 schools were not up to code. — Courtney Tanner, The Salt Lake Tribune, "State leaders have known for decades that Utah kids could die in unsafe schools during an earthquake. They’ve taken little action.," 28 Mar. 2021 Members of the Badger Racquet Club, which is now on hiatus, said that's been difficult to do now, given that the courts are not up to code at Sherman Park. — Drake Bentley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Tennis once was a big deal in Sherman Park. As the park is rethought, some want to bring back that competitive spirit.," 25 Mar. 2021 After the pandemic, in other words, there will still be new strains of flu and other viruses to code. — New York Times, "A DNA Sequencing Revolution Helped Us Fight Covid. What Else Can It Do?," 25 Mar. 2021 Givoni, a junior at Spanish River, created STEMINIST Club out of a desire to empower young girls in foster care to acquire the knowledge necessary in today’s world to code, create computer circuits and perform chemistry experiments. — Rick Menning, sun-sentinel.com, "Meet the students solving problems while vying for $15K Philanthropy Tank award," 12 Mar. 2021 In the show, the titular character Sema and her twin brother use their ingenuity to code apps, create energy from waste, and develop virtual worlds, among other things. — Carlos Mureithi, Quartz, "YouTube’s newest hero is a Kenyan girl with academic superpowers," 12 Mar. 2021 Children ages 7 to 14 learn to code, also known as computer programming, while building games during weekday sessions and day camps. — baltimoresun.com, "Guide to Howard County 2021: 30 places to take the kids," 23 Feb. 2021

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.

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Last Updated

10 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Code.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/code. Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for code

code

noun

English Language Learners Definition of code

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

English Language Learners Definition of code (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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

See the full definition for code in the English Language Learners Dictionary

code

noun

\ ˈkōd

Kids Definition of code

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

coded; coding

Kids Definition of code (Entry 2 of 2)

: to put in the form of a code

code

noun

\ ˈkōd

Medical Definition of code

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : genetic code

2 : code blue

code

verb

coded; coding

Medical Definition of code (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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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 ABA Code of Professional Responsibility

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