code

1 of 2

noun

ˈkōd 

plural codes

1

: a systematic statement of a body of law

especially : one given statutory force

2

: a system of principles or rules

moral code

see also code of conduct, dress code

3

a

: a system of signals or symbols for communication

specifically, linguistics : a communication system (such as a language or dialect) thought of as a set of signs (see sign entry 1 sense 1c) from which the speaker or writer selects in order to convey a message, idea, etc.

This sign language, which spontaneously developed during interactions among the children, was far from a comprehensive linguistic code, but it had a vocabulary that met their basic communicative needs.

—Marco Di Giulio

see also code switch

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 Tisdale

This 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

codeless

ˈkōd-ləs 

adjective

code

2 of 2

verb

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

ˈkō-də-bəl 

adjective

coder noun

Synonyms of code

Noun

• law
• constitution

Examples of code in a Sentence

Noun

Everyone in the organization has to follow its code of ethics.

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.

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

Shop the compliment-magnet scent for $26 and more Ellis Brooklyn Perfume Mists for $22 on Amazon with the code IY97N9VICDE4. —Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026

Rideshare service Lyft shared a discount code, along with heart and trans flag emojis, on its Threads account Saturday. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026

Verb

Smart contracts are self-executing agreements coded into the transaction itself as milestones are achieved. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026

Jefferies analysts, led by Peramunetilleke, found that MongoDB’s moat could get disrupted if AI coding tools weaken database selection, leaving developers less tied to a single database architecture as switching costs decline. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1815, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing code

• area code
• bar code
• black code
• cheat code
• code name
• code of conduct
• code of ethics
• code red
• code switch
• code-switching
• code word
• dialling code
• dress code
• genetic code
• Morse code
• object code
• penal code
• pre-code
• QR code
• source code
• sub-code
• vibe code
• ZIP code

Rhymes for code

• blowed
• bode
• crowed
• flowed
• glowed
• goad
• growed
• knowed
• load
• lode
• lowed
• mode

Kids Definition

code

1 of 2 noun

ˈkōd 

1

: a collection of laws arranged in some orderly way

criminal code

2

: a system of principles or rules

moral code

3

a

: a system of signals for communicating

b

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

4

: genetic code

5

: a set of instructions for a computer

code

2 of 2 verb

coded; coding

: to put into the form or symbols of a code

coder noun

Medical Definition

code

1 of 2 noun

ˈkōd 

1

: genetic code

2

: code blue

code

2 of 2 verb

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

Legal Definition

code

noun

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

Etymology

Noun

Old French, from Medieval Latin codex, from Latin caudex, codex tree trunk, set of wood writing tablets, book