code code [kəʊd ǁ koʊd] noun
1. [countable] LAW a complete set of written rules or laws:
• Each state in the US has a different criminal and civil code.
ˈbuilding code [countable] LAW
a set of rules that states what features a new building, bridge etc should have and what features it is not allowed to have, for reasons of safety or appearance:
• The design of the suspension connections did not comply with the relevant building code.
ˈCity Code also ˌCity Code on ˌTakeovers and ˈMergers [singular]
a set of rules that should be followed in Britain when one company is taking over another
Inˌternal ˈRevenue Code [singular] TAX LAW
the complete set of tax laws in the US
ˈTakeover ˌCode [singular]
in Britain, a set of rules that companies buying other companies agree to follow, even though they do not have to by law
2. [countable] a set of numbers, letters, or signs that are used to show what something is or give information about it:
• It is all too easy to miss an employee off a list because a code has been entered incorrectly.
a series of lines printed on products sold in a shop that can be read by a machine connected to a computer to give the price, keep a record of the sale etc:
• The scanner at the checkout recognises the bar code and charges the correct amount.
— bar coding noun [uncountable] :
• The use of bar coding has meant that restocking is done automatically.
ˌbusiness acˈtivity code [countable] COMMERCE
a number given to companies by the US tax authorities to show the type of business they are involved in
a set of six numbers found on a cheque book, bank card, or bank letter showing which
branch (= office) of a bank it relates to:
• Do you know the sort code and account number?
• the Universal Product Code that is used on packaged goods for checkout scanners
3. [countable, uncountable] COMPUTING a set of instructions that tell a computer what to do:
• a translator that will take the binary code from Windows applications and produce Alpha code
• An ANDF version of the spreadsheet runs to 200,000 lines of code.
maˈchine code [countable, uncountable] COMPUTING
instructions in the form of numbers that are put into a computer:
• Programs written using high-level languages such as C must be translated into machine code.
• They are machine codes which tell the computer precisely what to do.
4. [countable] also dialling code, STD code , area code the group of numbers that come before a telephone number when you are calling from a different area:
• What's the code for Aberdeen?
• Dial 0101 first, then your area code, followed by your home number.
5. [countable] also tax code, code number TAX a number that is given to an employee showing the amount of money that they are allowed to earn without paying any tax:
• When you get married your code will change.
* * *
code UK US /kəʊd/ noun
► [
C or
U]
access/security code »
You need an access code to get into the building.
in code »
The message was written in code.
► [
C]
product/identification code »
The FDA Product Code describes a product or a group of products.
»
We will give you a unique code to use when you make a booking.
► [
U]
IT computer/digital code »
Java computer code
»
write/generate/execute code
► [
C]
abide by/follow a code »
All our members follow a strict professional code.
»
He has his own moral code for the way he does business.
»
a code of behaviour/conduct
► [
C, usually singular]
LAW »
the state's legal code
»
Their aim is to work out a code to end sweatshops.
→
See also AREA CODE(
Cf. ↑
area code),
AUTHORIZATION CODE(
Cf. ↑
authorization code),
BAR CODE(
Cf. ↑
bar code),
BUILDING CODE(
Cf. ↑
building code),
BUSINESS ACTIVITY CODE(
Cf. ↑
business activity code),
CITY CODE(
Cf. ↑
City Code),
DIALLING CODE(
Cf. ↑
dialling code),
DRESS CODE(
Cf. ↑
dress code),
ERROR CODE(
Cf. ↑
error code),
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE(
Cf. ↑
Internal Revenue Code),
MACHINE CODE(
Cf. ↑
machine code),
SORT CODE(
Cf. ↑
sort code),
SOURCE CODE(
Cf. ↑
source code),
TAX CODE(
Cf. ↑
tax code),
UNIVERSAL PRODUCT CODE(
Cf. ↑
Universal Product Code)