codify

verb

cod·i·fy | \ ˈkä-də-ˌfī

, ˈkō-\

codified; codifying

Definition of codify

1 : to reduce to a code The convention codified the rules of war.

2a : systematize Standardization refers to the process by which a language has been codified in some way.— Ronald Wardhaugh

b : classify Customer complaints are codified as dissatisfaction feedback.

Other Words from codify Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about codify

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Other Words from codify

codifiability \ ˌkä-də-ˌfī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē

, ˌkō- \ noun

codification \ ˌkä-də-fə-ˈkā-shən

, ˌkō- \ noun

Did You Know?

A code is a collection of laws arranged in an orderly way; famous examples include the Code of Hammurabi, from about 1760 B.C. in ancient Babylon, and the Napoleonic Code, produced at Napoleon's orders in 1804. Laws that have been included in a code have been codified. The rules of baseball differed greatly from one place to another until they were codified by Alexander Cartwright in 1845; they haven't changed much since, though we don't know what Cartwright would say about the designated hitter.

Examples of codify in a Sentence

The convention codified the rules of war. The author tries to codify important ideas about language.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since Tritton started, Target has launched 20 new private label brands across home goods, electronics, and clothing, mimicking a strategy codified by Amazon over the course of the last decade. — Kaitlyn Tiffany, Vox, "Can Vans really sue Target for a cheap look-alike of its most famous skater shoe?," 26 Dec. 2018 Kennedy later learned the boy had been sent to an internment camp for Japanese Americans, a national disgrace that was later codified into law by the court’s Korematsu decision. — Massimo Calabresi, Time, "With Justice Kennedy Gone, It's Trump's Court Now," 28 June 2018 Standards for detention centers are set by ICE, which is currently run by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and aren’t codified in law. — Elaine Murphy, Teen Vogue, "What Really Happens Inside American Immigration Facilities and Detention Centers," 14 Jan. 2019 Most directly, the Republican Party at its highest levels is working right now in the courts to undo the protections that are currently codified in law. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "The real Republican record on preexisting conditions: GOP is trying to roll back protections," 18 Oct. 2018 Using a public right of way conveys a responsibility on all users, requiring adequate adherence to social norms, many of which are codified. — Peter Hermann, Washington Post, "Pedestrian fatally struck by vehicle that didn’t stop in Northeast Washington," 7 May 2018 Blogs and websites have chronicled every four-figure Amiri shredded jean, Saint Laurent jacket and Off-White sneaker — a de facto uniform if not a codified one. — Matthew Schneier, New York Times, "In the N.B.A., a Game of Clothes Horse," 20 Apr. 2018 Justice Neil Gorsuch joined him on a similar dissent in 2017—pointing out that second-class treatment of the Second Amendment has encouraged the lower courts to codify their policy preferences. — Ilya Shapiro, WSJ, "The Supreme Court Is Too Gun-Shy on the Second Amendment," 2 Jan. 2019 The two diplomats say that Mr. Griffiths hopes to schedule a briefing for the Security Council by the end of the week to codify a possible cease-fire and a new round of peace talks. — Margaret Coker, New York Times, "In Yemen, a Pause in Fighting Raises Hopes for Peace Talks," 1 July 2018

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