26984 words

code

20 definitions • 40 examples
1
a system of words, letters, or signs used to represent a message in secret form, or a system of numbers, letters, or signals used to represent something in a shorter or more convenient form:

Examples:

in code The message was written in code.
decipher a code She managed to decipher the code.
crack a code The agencies fear they will be unable to crack (= succeed in understanding) the codes to eavesdrop on spies and criminals.
break a code He spent his career breaking (= succeeding in understanding) codes.
Each entry in this dictionary has a grammar code.
2
a set of rules that are accepted as general principles, or a set of written rules that say how people in a particular organization or country should behave:

Examples:

code of conduct Clinics will be subject to a new code of conduct and stronger controls by local authorities.
3
a set of principles that are accepted and used by society or a particular group of people:

Examples:

a moral code
a code of behaviour/ethics
4
a language used to program (= give instructions to) computers:

Examples:

The children are learning to write code.
The problem was fixed with about 150 lines of computer code.
5

Examples:

Each person's genetic code is unique except in the case of identical twins.
6
a language or dialect (= a form of a language that people speak in a particular part of a country):

Examples:

He was interested in the linguistic codes of people living on the margins of society.
7
to represent a message in a system of letters, symbols, or signs, usually so that it can only be understood by the person who is meant to receive it:

Examples:

The original signal is coded by the scrambler before transmission, and reconstituted into its original form by the receiver.
8

Examples:

My third grade daughter loves learning to code with MIT's amazing (and free) software.
I have been learning to code programs.
9
to mark something, for example with letters, numbers, a name, or a colour, so that you know what type of thing it is:

Examples:

To avoid bias in the laboratory, the samples were coded with numbers rather than names of individuals.
be coded as sth Each transaction was coded as a food or drink sale or designated as a tip.
10
to describe or represent someone or something as having the qualities associated with a particular type of person or thing, so that they are understood to be that type of person or thing although this is not directly stated:

Examples:

be coded as sb/sth A character might be coded as gay through the use of traits and stereotypes recognizable to the audience.
Skirts and dresses are coded as feminine in our society.
11

Examples:

code for In tomato plants, there is a gene that codes for stem colour.
A single amino acid may be coded for by more than one codon.
ACC1 and ACC2 are coded by two different genes, so the researchers were able to isolate the enzymes.
12
a system for representing information with signs or symbols that are not ordinary language, or the signs or symbols themselves:

Examples:

[ U ] Andrew writes computer code.
[ C ] Callers punch in four-digit access codes for various topics.
13
genetic code
14
rules for the way people should behave, or a set of written rules or laws that tell people what to do:

Examples:

Faculty members are expected to follow the school’s honor code.
Is there a dress code where you work?
15
to represent information in a way that is not ordinary language, as with special signs or symbols:

Examples:

Many areas of the brain code and store information.
16
a set or system of numbers, letters, or signs which is known only to particular people and represents something that is secret:

Examples:

access/security code You need an access code to get into the building.
in code The message was written in code.
17
a system of words, letters, or signs which is used to represent something so that it is easy to know which thing or type of thing it is:

Examples:

We will give you a unique code to use when you make a booking.
18
19
a set of principles, or a set of rules which state how people in a particular organization, job, etc. should behave:

Examples:

abide by/follow a code All our members follow a strict professional code.
He has his own moral code for the way he does business.
a code of behaviour/conduct
20
a set of rules or laws:

Examples:

the state's legal code
Their aim is to work out a code to end sweatshops.

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