code meaning, code definition | English Cobuild dictionary

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  ( codes    plural & 3rd person present)   ( coding    present participle)   ( coded    past tense & past participle  )
1       n-count   A code is a set of rules about how people should behave or about how something must be done.  
oft n N, N of n  
...Article 159 of the Turkish penal code., ...local building codes.     
2       n-count   A code is a system of replacing the words in a message with other words or symbols, so that nobody can understand it unless they know the system.  
also in N  
They used elaborate secret codes, as when the names of trees stood for letters..., If you can't remember your number, write it in code in a diary.     
3       n-count   A code is a group of numbers or letters which is used to identify something, such as a postal address or part of a telephone system.  
Callers dialing the wrong area code will not get through.     
4       n-count   A code is any system of signs or symbols that has a meaning.  
It will need different microchips to reconvert the digital code back into normal TV signals.     
5       n-count   The genetic code of a person, animal or plant is the information contained in DNA which determines the structure and function of cells, and the inherited characteristics of all living things.  
with supp  
Scientists provided the key to understanding the genetic code that determines every bodily feature.      V n  
6       verb   To code something means to give it a code or to mark it with its code.  
He devised a way of coding every statement uniquely...      V n  
7       n-uncount   Computer code is a system or language for expressing information and instructions in a form which can be understood by a computer.     (COMPUTING)  
    bar code  
    Highway Code  
    machine code  
    morse code  
    zip code  

area code        ( area codes    plural  ) The area code for a particular city or region is the series of numbers that you have to dial before someone's personal number if you are making a telephone call to that place from a different area.  
  (mainly AM)      n-count  
in BRIT, use dialling code     
bar code        ( bar codes    plural  ) , barcode   A bar code is an arrangement of numbers and parallel lines that is printed on products to be sold in shops. The bar code can be read by computers.      n-count  
binary code        ( binary codes    plural  ) Binary code is a computer code that uses the binary number system.     (COMPUTING)      n-var  
The instructions are translated into binary code, a form that computers can easily handle.     
code name        ( code names    plural & 3rd person present)   ( code naming    present participle)   ( code named    past tense & past participle  ) , codename, code-name  
1       n-count   A code name is a name used for someone or something in order to keep their identity secret.  
usu N n  
One of their informers was working under the code name Czerny...     
usu passive  
The operation was code-named Moonlight Sonata.      be V-ed n  
...a military contingent, code-named Sparrowhawk.      V-ed  
code of conduct        ( codes of conduct    plural  ) The code of conduct for a group or organization is an agreement on rules of behaviour for the members of that group or organization.      n-count  
Doctors in Britain say a new code of conduct is urgently needed to protect the doctor-patient relationship.     
code of practice        ( codes of practice    plural  ) A code of practice is a set of written rules which explains how people working in a particular profession should behave.      n-count  
The auctioneers are violating a code of practice by dealing in stolen goods.     
code word        ( code words    plural  ) , codeword, code-word   A code word is a word or phrase that has a special meaning, different from its normal meaning, for the people who have agreed to use it in this way.      n-count  
...magnum, the code word for launching a radar attack.     
dialling code        ( dialling codes    plural  ) A dialling code for a particular city or region is the series of numbers that you have to dial before a particular telephone number if you are making a call to that place from a different area.  
  (mainly BRIT)      n-count  
in AM, use area code     
dress code        ( dress codes    plural  ) The dress code of a place is the rules about what kind of clothes people are allowed to wear there.      n-count  
There is a strict dress code: no trainers or jeans.     
Highway Code     
In Britain, the Highway Code is an official book published by the Department of Transport, which contains the rules which tell people how to use public roads safely.      n-sing   the N  
machine code     
Machine code is a way of expressing instructions and information in the form of numbers which can be understood by a computer or microchip.     (COMPUTING)      n-uncount  
morse code   , Morse code   Morse code or morse is a code used for sending messages. It represents each letter of the alphabet using short and long sounds or flashes of light, which can be written down as dots and dashes.      n-uncount  
penal code        ( penal codes    plural  ) The penal code of a country consists of all the laws that are related to crime and punishment.  
FORMAL      n-count  
zip code        ( zip codes    plural  ) Your zip code is a short sequence of letters and numbers at the end of your address, which helps the post office to sort the mail.  
  (AM)      n-count  
in BRIT, use postcode     
Translation English Cobuild Collins Dictionary  


1    cipher, cryptograph  
2    canon, convention, custom, ethics, etiquette, manners, maxim, regulations, rules, system  

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