codify

verb

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cod·i·fy | \ ˈkä-də-ˌfī

, ˈkō- \

codified; codifying

Definition of codify

transitive verb

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 New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, a leading contender in the city's 2021 mayoral contest, has released an ambitious climate change agenda that would codify several aspects of the Green New Deal in the United States's largest city. — Carly Roman, Washington Examiner, "NYC mayoral candidate embraces Green New Deal in climate policy platform," 10 Jan. 2021 Those agents may have gotten a lift in the waning days of Mr. Trump’s administration, when Trump loyalists tried to codify the influence of those unions. — New York Times, "Trump Loyalists Across Homeland Security Could Vex Biden’s Immigration Policies," 3 Feb. 2021 What’s needed: Congress needs to codify the steps the administration has already taken. — Marie Fishpaw, National Review, "What Trump Has Done to Change the Health Care System and How That Has Helped Battle COVID-19," 18 Oct. 2020 The drivers included some affiliated with labor organizing and the campaign against the measure, Proposition 22, which would codify drivers’ status as independent contractors in the state. — Washington Post, "Court rejects Uber drivers’ bid to bar app from pushing anti-employment messaging," 28 Oct. 2020 The commission released a report in 2011 calling for the establishment of the museum and the first bill to codify the museum's actual funding and creation was introduced in 2013. — Alex Pena, CBS News, "Museum for Latino history and culture fights for a spot on the National Mall," 7 Oct. 2020 The two-term vice president and the 36-year Delaware senator first vowed to codify Roe in 2019 after reversing his stance on the Hyde Amendment. — Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner, "Biden vows to ensure Roe v. Wade remains 'law of the land'," 5 Oct. 2020 The sides will continue discussing how to move forward on granting equivalence and pledged to codify a framework for regulatory cooperation. — Simon Clark, WSJ, "What Does the Brexit Deal Mean for Financial Services?," 24 Dec. 2020 The Michigan League for Public Policy and its Kids Count project makes recommendations to the Michigan Legislature to codify in its lame duck session. — Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, "Report: More than half of Michigan families lost income during pandemic," 14 Dec. 2020

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.