code

noun

(programming, uncountable) Instructions for a computer, written in a programming language; the input of a translator, an interpreter or a browser, namely: source code, machine code, bytecode.

A set of rules for converting information into another form or representation.

A message represented by rules intended to conceal its meaning.

A body of law, sanctioned by legislation, in which the rules of law to be specifically applied by the courts are set forth in systematic form; a compilation of laws by public authority; a digest.

Any system of principles, rules or regulations relating to one subject.

(informal) A set of unwritten rules that bind a social group.

By synecdoche: a codeword, code point, an encoded representation of a character, symbol, or other entity.

(cryptography) A cryptographic system using a codebook that converts words or phrases into codewords.

(medicine) An emergency requiring situation-trained members of the staff.

A short textual designation, often with little relation to the item it represents.

(linguistics) A particular lect or language variety.

(scientific programming) A program.

A surname.

Alternative form of cod. [A type of sea fish or the meat from said fish.]

verb

(computing) To write software programs.

(transitive) To add codes to (a data set).

(cryptography) To encode.

(informal, healthcare) To call a hospital emergency code.

(informal, healthcare) Of a patient, to suffer a sudden medical emergency (a code blue) such as cardiac arrest.

To categorise by assigning identifiers from a schedule, for example CPT coding for medical insurance purposes.

(genetics, intransitive) To encode a protein.

Roots

caudexcod- · Latin · tree trunk, block of wood

Synonyms for code

codificationn cipherv encipherv encryptv encodev cryptographn cryptographyn cryptogramn protocoln regulationsn

Synonyms & related words for code

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of code — including codification, cipher, encipher, encrypt, encode, cryptograph. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to code

Explore words related to code — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include recode, codeword, codebreaker, bytecode, codifier, opcode, coder, codex. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for code

Common synonyms for code include codification, cipher, encipher, encrypt, encode, cryptograph, cryptography, cryptogram — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does code come from?

The word code breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root cod-, from Latin caudex (“tree trunk, block of wood”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.