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code

n. · v.
US //ˈkoʊd// UK //kˈəʊd// code
  1. 1 rules of behavior (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a set of rules about how people should behave in a certain group or place.

    a systematic collection of principles or rules relating to conduct or social behavior.

    Example

    The school has a strict dress code that all students must follow.

    Example

    The medical profession is governed by a strict ethical code that prioritizes patient confidentiality and safety above all else.
  2. 2 secret signals (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a system of words, letters, or symbols used to keep a message secret.

    a system of signals or symbols used to represent letters or words for the purpose of secrecy or brevity.

    Example

    The spies sent messages in a secret code so the enemy could not read them.

    Example

    During the war, cryptographers worked tirelessly to break the enemy's naval code and intercept their strategic plans.
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  1. 3 legal system (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    a formal set of laws or regulations written by a government.

    a systematic and comprehensive compilation of laws sanctioned by a legislative body.

    Example

    The country updated its penal code to include new types of digital crimes.

    Example

    The civil code provides the legal framework for contracts, property ownership, and family law within the jurisdiction.
  2. 4 medical emergency (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    a signal used in a hospital to tell staff there is a serious emergency.

    a specific signal or call used in a medical facility to alert staff to a life-threatening emergency.

    Example

    The nurse called a code blue when the patient stopped breathing.

    Example

    The hospital staff responded immediately when a code was announced over the intercom, rushing to the intensive care unit with the crash cart.
  3. 5 to write software (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    to write the instructions for a computer program.

    to write or revise computer software using a programming language.

    Example

    He learned how to code in Python during his summer break.

    Example

    The engineering team had to code a custom interface to allow the two different databases to communicate effectively.
  4. 6 to categorize (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    to give a label or number to information so it can be organized.

    to assign a code or identifier to data for the purpose of classification or analysis.

    Example

    The researchers had to code the interview answers into different categories.

    Example

    The survey responses were coded by two independent researchers to ensure the qualitative data was analyzed objectively.
Origin

From Middle English code (“system of law”), from Old French code (“system of law”), from Latin cōdex, later form of caudex (“the stock or stem of a tree, a board or tablet of wood smeared over with wax, on which the ancients originally wrote; hence, a book, a writing.”). Doublet of codex. Verb etymology 1 sense 7 is an ellipsis of code blue (“medical emergency”).

Word family

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