codify
verb
cod·i·fy
ˈkä-də-ˌfī 
ˈkō-
codified; codifying
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
Ronald Wardhaugh
b
: classify
Customer complaints are codified as dissatisfaction 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.
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
The China deal, which Lutnick said had been signed two days ago, codifies the terms laid out in trade talks between Beijing and Washington, including a commitment from China to deliver rare earths used in everything from wind turbines to jet planes.
—Danny Bakst, Fortune, 27 June 2025
That language would’ve codified the annual allocation, which is now left up to negotiation within the budget.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 June 2025
In 2023, Markey and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), whose adult child is transgender, introduced the Transgender Bill of Rights, a landmark resolution to recognize the federal government’s responsibility to protect and codify the rights of trans and nonbinary people nationwide.
—Brooke Migdon, The Hill, 18 June 2025
One measure, passed this week, codifies an executive order of Landry.
—Sara Cline, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for codify
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Danny Bakst, Fortune, 27 June 2025
That language would’ve codified the annual allocation, which is now left up to negotiation within the budget.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 June 2025
In 2023, Markey and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), whose adult child is transgender, introduced the Transgender Bill of Rights, a landmark resolution to recognize the federal government’s responsibility to protect and codify the rights of trans and nonbinary people nationwide.
—Brooke Migdon, The Hill, 18 June 2025
One measure, passed this week, codifies an executive order of Landry.
—Sara Cline, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for codify
Cite this Entry
“Codify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/codify. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
codify
verb
cod·i·fy
ˈkäd-ə-ˌfī
ˈkōd-
codified; codifying
: to arrange (as a collection of laws) in an orderly form
Legal Definition
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