: 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
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Click the link ---> here <--- to activate our DraftKings promo code.cleveland, 10 Sep. 2022 While no explanation was immediately available from the state, the federal government’s vaccines.gov site has been updated through the week, allowing anyone to enter their ZIP code and receive a map of locations with boosters in stock. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 For those without a provider, help is available by dialing 211 or 877-947-2211, or texting your ZIP code to 898-211. Jessica Van Egeren, Journal Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2022 Will the budget airline seek to convert to that boarding method at Orlando’s airport, known by its code of MCO and under pressure to provide airlines with more gates? Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Sep. 2022 Social-media platforms have also become more responsive to calls by lawmakers to censor posts deemed to violate their code of conduct. Ian Talley, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022 Local shoe shine parlors have their own unique code, while the nearly 9,000 standalone U.S. gun sellers do not. Clare Hymes, CBS News, 1 Sep. 2022 Holmoe said that the student section will be removed from behind the opponents bench at volleyball games for the foreseeable future, and that changes to their fan code of conduct will be implemented. Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2022 Hawes will portray a scientist who finds herself at odds with her own moral code when circumstances lead her to make a difficult choice. Ej Panaligan, Variety, 30 Aug. 2022
Verb
Whether and how often a CTO should code depends on the stage of the company. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 As the footage shows, renovations included setting up proper plumbing and heat in a couple of the rooms upstairs, painting over old wallpaper, and, essentially bringing the house up to code just enough to pass an inspection. Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 24 Aug. 2022 Security researcher Felix Krause recently discovered that the in-app browser in TikTok’s iOS app injects JavaScript code into every website users visit. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 19 Aug. 2022 Still, life was too short to code yourself into the grave. Sana Krasikov, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2022 The characters don’t have proper names, by the way, just code names and archetypal titles, which gives you an idea of the character development. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 3 Aug. 2022 The general secretary was up to code: white trousers, blue blazer, club crest over the heart. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 18 July 2022 Those projects include making electrical repairs, updating additional housing units, finishing Central Booking and kitchen repairs, and $2.3 million in spending to bring the elevators up to code. Kaitlin Durbin, cleveland, 4 May 2022 Confirm that all of the major systems such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC and fire safety are all to code and functional. Expert Panel, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2021 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin caudex, codex trunk of a tree, document formed originally from wooden tablets