plural codes
1
a
: a set of laws or regulations
the state's criminal code
the tax code
the city's plumbing/electrical/building codes
The school has a dress code. [=rules about what a person can wear]
b
: a set of ideas or rules about how to behave
a moral code
Everyone in the organization has to follow its code of ethics.
The army has a strict code of conduct/behavior.
2
a
: a set of letters, numbers, symbols, etc., that is used to secretly send messages to someone
The enemy was unable to break/crack the army's secret code.
The message was sent in code.
b
: a set of letters, numbers, symbols, etc., that identifies or gives information about something or someone
Every item in the store has a product code.
Enter your security code to access the computer.
Each employee is given a code number.
3
: a set of instructions for a computer
He was hired to write programming code.
lines of code
codes; coded; coding
1
: to put (a message) into the form of a code so that it can be kept secret
The message was coded.
The general sent a coded message.
2
: to mark (something) with a code so that it can be identified
Each product has been coded.
The trails on the mountain are all color coded. [=each trail is marked by a particular color]
3
: to change (information) into a set of letters, numbers, or symbols that can be read by a computer
Programmers coded the data.
Cite this Entry
“Code.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/code. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
