codify

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verb cod·i·fy \ ˈkä-də-ˌfī , ˈkō- \

Definition of codify

codified; codifying

transitive verb

1 :to reduce to a code

The convention codified the rules of war.

2 a :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.

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codifiability

play \ˌkä-də-ˌfī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē, ˌkō-\ noun

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codification

play \ˌkä-də-fə-ˈkā-shən, ˌkō-\ noun

See codify defined for English-language learners

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Examples of codify in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of codify from the Web

And as recently as last week the president was said to have asked his National Security Council for recommendations on an executive order that would codify how his administration would treat future terror detainees.

— jeremy roebuck, Philly.com, "Terror suspect in 'Jihad Jane' case pleads not guilty," 28 Aug. 2017
Since the previous Russian sanctions were enacted via executive orders and not codified into law, a president can easily lift or change them.

— cynthia sewell, idahostatesman, "Idaho’s Crapo behind legislation to sanction Russia but says it’s not aimed at Trump," 25 July 2017
The Seattle City Council, in an 8:0 vote Monday, passed a law that codifies the Police Department’s bias-free policing policies.

— steve miletich, The Seattle Times, "Seattle City Council passes bias-free policing law," 17 July 2017
While some measures have been codified—like bail and death-penalty reform—state lawmakers have generally been reluctant to legislate internal prison policy for fear of undermining corrections officers.

— josh jacobs, The Atlantic, "How Long Can Connecticut's Prison Reform Last?," 15 July 2017
That chamber recently passed, nearly unanimously, a robust sanctions package that would codify President Obama’s sanctions and expand them, taking direct aim at Russia’s (intertwined) defense and energy sectors.

— the editors, National Review, "It’s Time to Get Real about Russia," 10 July 2017
The amendment codifies what previously had been a standing practice and adds an option for the mayor to get a monthly allowance, instead of the city providing a vehicle.

— steve lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora OKs car allowance, expands options for mayor," 7 July 2017
Everyone seems to know these rules, but they rarely get codified.

— andy staples, SI.com, "Where to eat, drink in Chicago," 30 June 2017
The Senate bill will codify and make permanent the Medicaid expansion.

— will bunch, Philly.com, "How Toomey can atone for his health care bamboozlement," 27 June 2017

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.

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.