code

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [C,U] (often in compounds) a system of words, letters, numbers or symbols that represent a message or record information secretly or in a shorter form: to break / crack a code (= to understand and read the message) * It's written in code. * Tap your code number into the machine. * In the event of the machine not operating correctly, an error code will appear. seealsoAREACODE, BARCODE, MORSECODE, POSTCODE, ZIPCODE 2 [C] = DIALLINGCODE: There are two codes for London. 3 [U] (computing) a system of computer PROGRAMMING instructions seealsoMACHINECODE, SOURCECODE 4 [C] a set of moral principles or rules of behaviour that are generally accepted by society or a social group: a strict code of conduct * Young people unconsciously conform to a dress code but reject any kind of uniform. 5 [C] a system of laws or written rules that state how people in an institution or a country should behave: the penal code seealsoHIGHWAYCODE verb [VN] 1 to write or print words, letters, numbers, etc. on sth so that you know what it is, what group it belongs to, etc: Each order is coded separately. 2 to put a message into code so that it can only be understood by a few people 3 (computing) to write a computer program by putting one system of numbers, words and symbols into another system SYNENCODE