Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense codes, present participle coding, past tense, past participle coded
1. countable noun [oft noun NOUN]
A code is a set of rules about how people should behave or about how something must be done.
...Article 159 of the Turkish penal code.
...the code of the Samurai. [+ of]
...local building codes.
2. countable noun [oft inNOUN]
A code is a system of replacing the words in a message with other words or symbols, so that nobody can understand it unless they know the system.
They used elaborate secret codes, as when the names of trees stood for letters.
If you can't remember your number, write it in code in a diary.
3. countable noun
A code is a group of numbers or letters which is used to identify something, such as a postal address or part of a telephone system.
Callers dialling the wrong area code will not get through.
4. countable noun
A code is any system of signs or symbols that has a meaning.
Only one voucher or promotional code can be used per transaction.
5. countable noun
The genetic code of a person, animal or plant is the information contained in DNA which determines the structure and function of cells, and the inherited characteristics of all living things.
...the genetic code that determines every bodily feature.
6. verb
If a gene codes for something such as a substance or characteristic, it creates or determines it.
These genes code for proteins that appear to play a role in appetite control. [Vfor]
...the genes that code for facial appearance. [Vfor]
7. verb
To code something means to give it a code or to mark it with its code.
He devised a way of coding every statement uniquely. [VERB noun]
The machines were coded so we could tell them apart. [VERB noun]
8. uncountable noun
Computer code is a system or language for expressing information and instructions in a form which can be understood by a computer.
[computing]
9. verb
To code means to write programs and instructions for a computer using computer code.
Learning to code may be the fastest way into employment for young people. [VERB]
The course teaches you to code a multi-platform web app in just one day. [VERB noun]
10. See also bar code, Highway Code, machine code, morse code, postcode, zip code
More Synonyms of code
code in British English
(kəʊd)
noun
1.
a system of letters or symbols, and rules for their association by means of which information can be represented or communicated for reasons of secrecy, brevity, etc
binary code
Morse code
See also genetic code
2.
a message in code
3.
a symbol used in a code
4.
a conventionalized set of principles, rules, or expectations
a code of behaviour
5.
a system of letters or digits used for identification or selection purposes
verb
6. (transitive)
to translate, transmit, or arrange into a code
7. (intransitive)
to write computer programs
Word origin
C14: from French, from Latin cōdex book, codex
code in American English
(koʊd)
noun
1.
a body of laws, as of a nation or city, organized for easy reference
2.
any set of principles or rules of conduct
a moral code
3.
a.
a set of signals representing letters or numerals, used to send messages, as by telegraph or flags
b.
genetic code
4.
a.
a system of symbols used as in secret writing or information processing, in which letters, figures, etc. are arbitrarily given certain meanings
b.
the symbols in such a system
5.
a binary system for converting information, data, etc. into a form for use in computers, telecommunications, etc.
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈcoded or ˈcoding
6.
to put in the form or symbols of a code
7.
to put in a binary form, as for computer use
Derived forms
coder (ˈcoder)
noun
Word origin
OFr < L codex (earlier caudex), wooden tablet for writing (hence, book: in LL(Ec), code of laws), orig., tree trunk,wood split into tablets, prob. < cudere, *caudere, to strike < IE base *kāu- > hew
COBUILD Collocations
code
discount code
moral code
unwritten code
voucher code
Examples of 'code' in a sentence
code
Building codes too restrictive to build a church in that town?
Christianity Today (2000)
This code represents the information required for protein synthesis.
McCahill, T. A. Biology Basic Facts (1982)
The replacement code was set out in the letter.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Politicians often address their own people in coded language.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The code would give such a move that bit more weight.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
These produced the codes of practice for the management of farm livestock.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
So enter now by grabbing your code from the back page.
The Sun (2015)
Most of us just wanted to write cool code.
Frederic Alan Maxwell BAD BOY BALLMER (2002)
Twenty different amino acids are coded by the genetic code.
Wills, Christopher The Runaway Brain: the Evolution of Human Uniqueness (1993)
Bitcoin is a digital currency that exists only as computer code.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It might have been code for something involving restraints.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He insists that the code addresses the issues effectively and fairly.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But surely there were so many coded messages here.
Hebblethwaite, Peter Paul VI - The First Modern Pope (1993)
Unique code is valid for single use only.
The Sun (2014)
Ancient language can also contain coded environmental information of which modern science may be unaware.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The code that was set up as a result sounded promising.
Joanna Blythman SHOPPED: The Shocking Power of British Supermarkets (2004)
She was given no code of practice and no training.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The new watchdog does not have the legal power to make retailers join its code of practice.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Simply take your code from the back page and enter online.
The Sun (2015)
The political willpower to enforce safe building codes seems a distant prospect in many countries that need it most.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There are lots of code languages.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Another runs an internal message system and a coded, digital radio network accessible only to members.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
code
British English: code /kəʊd/ NOUN
A code is a set of rules about how people should behave.
...a strict code of practice.
American English: code
Arabic: قَانُون
Brazilian Portuguese: código
Chinese: 代码
Croatian: kodeks
Czech: zákoník
Danish: kode
Dutch: code
European Spanish: código
Finnish: koodi
French: code
German: Kode
Greek: κώδικας
Italian: codice
Japanese: 暗号
Korean: 부호 상징
Norwegian: kode
Polish: kod
European Portuguese: código
Romanian: cod
Russian: кодекс
Latin American Spanish: código
Swedish: kod
Thai: รหัส
Turkish: prensip
Ukrainian: кодекс
Vietnamese: mã
British English: code VERB
To code something means to give it a code or to mark it with its code.
He devised a way of coding every statement uniquely.
American English: code
Brazilian Portuguese: codificar
Chinese: 法典
European Spanish: codificar
French: coder
German: codieren
Italian: codificare
Japanese: 規則
Korean: 암호화 하다
European Portuguese: codificar
Latin American Spanish: codificar
All related terms of 'code'
DX code
a code on a film cassette that automatically adjusts the film-speed setting on a suitably equipped camera to the correct ISO rating
QR Code
A QR code is a pattern of black and white squares that can be read by a smart phone , allowing the phone user to get more information about something. QR code is an abbreviation for ' Quick Response code'.
area code
The area code for a particular city or region is the series of numbers that you have to dial before someone's personal number if you are making a telephone call to that place from a different area.
bar code
A bar code is an arrangement of numbers and parallel lines that is printed on products to be sold in shops . The bar code can be read by computers.
City Code
(in Britain ) short for City Code on Takeovers and Mergers : a code laid down in 1968 ( later modified ) to control takeover bids and mergers
code name
A code name is a name used for someone or something in order to keep their identity secret .
code word
A code word is a word or phrase that has a special meaning , different from its normal meaning, for the people who have agreed to use it in this way .
dial code
a sequence of numbers which are dialled for connection with another exchange before an individual subscriber's telephone number is dialled
Gray code
a modification of a number system, esp a binary code , in which any adjacent pair of numbers, in counting order, differ in their digits at one position only, the absolute difference being the value 1
sort code
a sequence of numbers printed on a cheque or embossed on a bank or building-society card that identifies the branch holding the account
STD code
a code of four or more digits , other than those comprising a subscriber's local telephone number, that determines the routing of a call
tax code
(in the UK) a code consisting of numbers and letters, which indicates to an employer how much tax should be deducted from an employee's pay
time code
(on video or audio tape ) a separate track on which time references are continually recorded in digital form as an aid to editing
zip code
Your zip code is a short sequence of letters and numbers at the end of your address , which helps the post office to sort the mail .
access code
a sequence of characters that allows the user access to a secure area or to a secure system
binary code
Binary code is a computer code that uses the binary number system.
code dating
the system of marking products with the date when they were packed
code letter
a letter which is part of a code
code monkey
a computer programmer who is able to perform only routine tasks
code number
a number used to identify something
color-code
to use specific colors , according to a code , for wires, switches , cards, files , etc.
colour code
a system of easily distinguishable colours , as for the identification of electrical wires or resistors
dress code
The dress code of a place is the rules about what kind of clothes people are allowed to wear there.
moral code
A code is a set of rules about how people should behave or about how something must be done.
Morse code
Morse code or morse is a code used for sending messages. It represents each letter of the alphabet using short and long sounds or flashes of light , which can be written down as dots and dashes.
penal code
The penal code of a country consists of all the laws that are related to crime and punishment.
postal code
a code of letters and digits used as part of a postal address to aid the sorting of mail
source code
Source code is the original form of a computer program as it is written by a programmer . It is then converted into code that the computer can understand .
stock code
an abbreviation that identifies a particular security on a stock-quotation machine
approval code
An approval code is a PIN or other verification code needed to authorize a payment going through the cash register.
Code Napoléon
the civil code of France , promulgated between 1804 and 1810, comprising the main body of French civil law
code-sharing
a commercial agreement between two airlines that allows passengers to use a ticket from one airline to travel on another
country code
a code of good practice recommended to those who use the countryside for recreational purposes
criminal code
the body of laws regulating how crimes are to be punished
dialling code
A dialling code for a particular city or region is the series of numbers that you have to dial before a particular telephone number if you are making a call to that place from a different area.
discount code
A code is any system of signs or symbols that has a meaning.
ethical code
an ethical code is a set of moral principles used to govern the conduct of a profession
genetic code
the order in which the nitrogenous bases of DNA are arranged in the molecule , which determines the type and amount of protein synthesized in the cell. The four bases are arranged in groups of three in a specific order, each group acting as a unit ( codon ), which specifies a particular amino acid
Highway Code
In Britain, the Highway Code is an official book published by the Department of Transport , which contains the rules which tell people how to use public roads safely.
machine code
Machine code is a way of expressing instructions and information in the form of numbers which can be understood by a computer or microchip .
national code
a game resembling rugby football , played in Australia between teams of 18 players each on an oval pitch , with a ball resembling a large rugby ball. Players attempt to kick the ball between posts (without crossbars ) at either end of the pitch, scoring six points for a goal (between the two main posts) and one point for a behind (between either of two outer posts and the main posts). They may punch or kick the ball and run with it provided that they bounce it every ten yards
sorting code
a sequence of numbers printed on a cheque or embossed on a bank or building-society card that identifies the branch holding the account
voucher code
A code is any system of signs or symbols that has a meaning .
character code
a machine-readable code that identifies a specified character or a set of such codes
Clarendon Code
four acts passed by the Cavalier Parliament between 1661 and 1665 to deal with the religious problems of the Restoration
elaborated code
a way of talking which is explicit and does not assume that the listener shares the same assumptions and understandings as the speaker
Justinian Code
a compilation of Roman imperial law made by order of Justinian I, forming part of the Corpus Juris Civilis
Napoleonic Code
→ Code Napoléon
operation code
a code that specifies an action to be performed on a computer
restricted code
speech patterns that are characteristic of working class people