Definitions
01computer programming
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun Computing
n. the instructions written in a special language that tell a computer what to do.
n. the symbolic instructions for a computer, written in a programming language such as Python or C++.
日本語:コード※
“She spent all afternoon writing code for her new mobile app.”
“The developers spent weeks debugging the legacy code to ensure the new security patch was compatible with the existing database architecture.”
02rules of behavior
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a set of rules about how people should behave or how things should be done.
n. a systematic collection of laws, principles, or regulations relating to a specific subject or social group.
日本語:規約※
“The school has a strict dress code that all students must follow.”
“The professional code of ethics requires all practitioners to maintain strict client confidentiality regardless of the circumstances.”
Synonyms
03secret or symbolic system
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a system of words, letters, or signals used to hide the meaning of a message.
n. a system of signals or symbols used to represent letters or words for the purposes of secrecy or economy.
日本語:暗号※
“The spies sent a secret code that only their leader could understand.”
“During the war, cryptographers worked tirelessly to break the enemy's naval code and intercept their strategic communications.”
Synonyms
04identification number
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. a short group of numbers or letters used to identify something.
n. a short textual or numerical designation used for identification or classification purposes.
“Please enter your area code before dialing the phone number.”
“Each product in the warehouse is assigned a unique bar code to streamline the inventory management process.”
Synonyms
05to write software
B1 · Intermediate Computing
v. to write instructions for a computer program.
v. to write or revise computer software using a programming language.
“He learned how to code in Python when he was only ten years old.”
“The engineering team began to code the new interface as soon as the design specifications were finalized.”
06medical emergency
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a signal used in a hospital to tell staff there is a serious emergency.
n. a hospital emergency signal, often followed by a color, indicating a specific crisis such as cardiac arrest.
“The nurse called a code blue when the patient stopped breathing.”
“The medical team responded instantly to the code blue, initiating resuscitation protocols within seconds of the alarm.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “code” in context.
Real-World Examples
“Anthropic accidentally released part of the internal source code for its AI-powered coding assistant, Claude Code, due to “human error”, the company said on Tuesday.” “As tools like Claude Code get better, more and more developers are happy to hand off coding tasks to them.” Etymology
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/code
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR