barcode

noun

bar·​code ˈbär-ˌkōd 

variants or less commonly bar code

plural barcodes also bar codes

1

: a code consisting of a group of printed and variously patterned bars and spaces and sometimes numerals that is designed to be scanned and read into computer memory and that contains information (such as identification) about the object it labels

… one version of the barcode reader used in supermarkets employs a laser scanner.

—Science

I on the other hand boarded the traditional way. I handed my paper printout to the airport personnel, who scanned the barcode before letting me proceed.

—Sanjeeb Patel

2

biology : something (such as a DNA sequence) that uniquely identifies a species of organism

… they now plan to analyze each fish sample by decoding a certain tiny piece of DNA that can serve as a unique bar code for the species.

—Christen Brownlee

bar-coded

ˈbär-ˌkō-dəd 

adjective

bar coding noun

Examples of barcode in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Marlena Velez, 22, stole around $500 worth of goods from a Target in Cape Coral, Fla., by swiping barcodes for cheaper items at self-checkout and bagging more expensive items instead, the Cape Coral Police Department said in a press release. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 26 Nov. 2024

One subject of enquiries is the new digital ticketing system, which the fans forum and Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) have already relayed concerns about from match-goers because barcodes are located deep within the official app, rather than on phone wallets. —Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024

Most states use special US Postal Inspection Service barcodes to monitor ballots in transit. —Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 15 Sep. 2020

These are visual search engines that specialize in narrow fields such as barcodes, landmarks, DVDs, wine labels, text, logos, and so on. —IEEE Spectrum, 24 Aug. 2010

Look for signs of tampering, such as the wrapping being torn or resealed or stickers placed over the barcode or card number. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024

The case of the leather jacket cracks wide open when Nick and Tim find a sticker with a barcode inside it and Palmer uses his family's dry cleaning biz connections to locate the owner. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 26 Nov. 2024

Each one is marked with a barcode that, when scanned, tells staff its layout and content. —Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 30 Sep. 2024

The researchers say the screen is designed for use when light and power are impractical or undesirable, such as on clothes, stickers, ID badges, barcodes, and eBook readers. —New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bar code

noun

: a code made up of a group of printed and variously spaced bars and sometimes numerals that is designed to be scanned and read into computer memory and that contains information (as identification) about the object it labels