code
noun
\ ˈkōd
\
\
plural codes
Definition of code
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a systematic statement of a body of law
especially
: one given statutory force
2
: a system of principles or rules
moral code
3a
: a system of signals or symbols for communication
b
: a system of symbols (such as letters or numbers) used to represent assigned and often secret meanings
c
: coded language : a word or phrase chosen in place of another word or phrase in order to communicate an attitude or meaning without stating it explicitly
The strategy also appealed to blue-collar workers in the Northeast and Northwest who were opposed to "forced bussing." This was expressed in code as favoring "law and order" and opposing "crime in the streets."— Elizabeth Drew
—usually used with for I hear the word "development" a lot in public speech; politicians and activists use it as code for a lot of things—jobs, health care, a change in leadership.— Sallie TisdaleThis quarter-century of Republican momentum was reversed finally by Bill Clinton, who called himself a "New Democrat," code for "not a liberal."— Joshua Muravchik
4
: genetic code
5
: instructions for a computer (as within a piece of software)
writing code for a new app
code
verb
coded;
coding
Definition of code (Entry 2 of 2)
: to put in or into the form or symbols of a code
1
: to specify the genetic code
a gene that codes for a protein
2
: to create or edit computer code
She got a job coding for Google.
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Other Words from code
Noun
codeless
\ ˈkōd-ləs
\
adjective
\
adjective
Verb
codable
\ ˈkō-də-bəl
\
adjective
\
adjective
coder
noun
Examples of code in a Sentence
Noun
Everyone in the organization has to follow its code of ethics. The army has a strict code of conduct. The enemy was unable to break the army's secret code. The message was sent in code. Every item in the store has a product code. Enter your security code to access the computer. Each employee is given a code number. He was hired to write programming code.Verb
The general sent a coded message. Each product has been coded.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
For a one-time fee, a transaction would give the buyer perpetual access to Huawei’s existing 5G patents, licences, code, technical blueprints and production know-how. — The Economist, "Huawei may sell its 5G technology to a Western buyer," 11 Sep. 2019 The famous scale was first developed by Herb Saffir, a Coral Gables structural engineer and longtime advocate for tougher building codes, who envisioned a rating system similar to the Richter scale used for earthquakes. — Alex Harris, sun-sentinel.com, "If the scale didn’t stop at 5, would Hurricane Dorian have been a Category 6 storm?," 5 Sep. 2019 According to Kentucky law, if the commission finds a violation of the code, including conflicts of interest when awarding state contracts, the state's finance secretary may void any agreement related to that case. — Alfred Miller, ProPublica, "How Kentucky Gambled for Hundreds of Millions of Dollars From a Broadband Program It Didn’t Qualify for," 4 Sep. 2019 Ruiz said the federal government has issued 2,000 special registration codes, called CURPs, to migrants who need to work. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Some migrants have found jobs, settled into Tijuana," 3 Sep. 2019 Genes code for proteins that become the cell constituents that carry out those cells’ myriad tasks. — Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, "Scientists Start Building a Parts List for the Brain," 21 Aug. 2019 Club culture is close to subculture in which clothing speaks in code. — Vogue, "What Desperately Seeking Susan Got Right About Fashion," 20 Aug. 2019 Just be sure to enter the promo code CELEBRATE at checkout, and act fast—the sale ends August 25. — Braelyn Wood, Health.com, "Shop Kristen Bell’s Fave Skyn Iceland Eye Gels for Just $13 at Dermstore’s Anniversary Sale Right Now," 19 Aug. 2019 Products: @colouredraine ‘2AM, Princess Cut, Classy’ (discount code JAZMINA for $ off) @colourpopcosmetics Yoshi, Make Believe and Dr. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "Someone Painted Billie Eilish's Face Onto Their Lips Using Lipstick," 14 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Estimates for bringing the 1925 building up to code ranged from $140,000 for ADA work to $500,000 to $600,000 for a full remodeling, building owner Louis Wang told the Mercury News in February. — Jessica Yadegaran, The Mercury News, "After 94 years, Wing’s restaurant sign taken down in San Jose," 28 Aug. 2019 The state code enshrining Forrest Day says the governor must also proclaim Robert E. Lee Day on Jan. 19 and Confederate Decoration Day on June 3, among other dates. — Hannah Knowles, Washington Post, "Ted Cruz criticizes Tenn. governor for day honoring Confederate general and KKK leader," 13 July 2019 African American songs from this time period were often written in what amounted to code so as not to alarm whites, Meacham writes. — Allison Stewart, chicagotribune.com, "Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw: How American music became both a reflection and an instrument of social change," 11 July 2019 African American songs from this time period were often written in what amounted to code so as not to alarm whites, Meacham writes. — Allison Stewart, Washington Post, "How American music became both a reflection and an instrument of social change," 10 July 2019 The organization, which was founded in 2012, will have trained 185,000 girls to code by the end of this year. — Sara Castellanos, WSJ, "P&G CIO Says He Wants to Hire More Women Coders," 10 July 2019 The women code switch as needed, until a smart young woman of color named Nikita (Duncan) arrives to freshen up before her job interview. — Christine Dolen, sun-sentinel.com, "Review: ‘She Shorts’ puts women in the spotlight," 15 July 2019 The place now runs on sun and wood and is to code and properly permitted. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "How To Live Off the Grid," 10 June 2019 Planners also see the market as a community space with activities for neighborhood kids. Job site superintendent Paul Dimock said the brick warehouse was built in the 1920s and is not up to code with today’s standards. — Slade Rand, courant.com, "Hartford’s Parkville Market is still coming, but construction challenges have delayed the opening for at least another six months," 14 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'code.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for code
code
noun
English Language Learners Definition of code
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a set of laws or regulations
: a set of ideas or rules about how to behave
: a set of letters, numbers, symbols, etc., that is used to secretly send messages to someone
code