noun

code

kohd

noun

Instructions written in a programming language that a computer can run.

"She spent all afternoon debugging the code."

"He rewrote the code to make the app load faster."

A system of symbols or signals used to represent information secretly or compactly.

"The spies communicated using a simple substitution code."

A formal set of laws, rules, or principles governing a subject or group.

"The company's code of conduct bans discrimination of any kind."

verb

To write instructions for a computer program.

"He taught himself to code over the summer."

How to Use Code

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost commonly today, instructions written for a computer; also a set of rules, or a system for disguising information.

Common pairings

write code a code of conduct crack a code source code

coded past tense, codes plural, codes singular

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She spent all afternoon debugging the _____.

From Old French code, "system of law," ultimately from Latin codex, an early word for a wax-covered wooden writing tablet — and later, a book.

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