codify
verb
cod·i·fy
ˈkä-də-ˌfī 
ˈkō-
codified; codifying
1
: to reduce to a code
The convention codified the rules of war.
2
a
: systematize
Standardization refers to the process by which a language has been codified in some way.—
Ronald Wardhaugh
Ronald Wardhaugh
b
: classify
Customer complaints are codified as dissatisfaction feedback.
Did you know?
A code is a collection of laws arranged in an orderly way; famous examples include the Code of Hammurabi, from about 1760 B.C. in ancient Babylon, and the Napoleonic Code, produced at Napoleon's orders in 1804. Laws that have been included in a code have been codified. The rules of baseball differed greatly from one place to another until they were codified by Alexander Cartwright in 1845; they haven't changed much since, though we don't know what Cartwright would say about the designated hitter.
Synonyms
Examples of codify in a Sentence
The convention codified the rules of war.
The author tries to codify important ideas about language.
Recent Examples on the Web
Congressional leaders should work with Rubio to codify new statutory mandates and guardrails.
—Sean P. Brooks, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2025
By clearly codifying into law the objectives and authorities of our international assistance programs in a bipartisan fashion, Congress would ensure that foreign assistance will not deviate from its core purpose nor fail to deliver value for Americans.
—Ted Yoho, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
The bill aims to close gaps in the law by codifying judicial precedent, addressing failures across family courts, law enforcement, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and schools.
—Chris Felder, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025
However, as seen with Trump’s rolling back of former President Joe Biden’s executive orders, many House Republicans are working to codify these policies to prevent them from being rescinded down the line or to place a legal roadblock in the way of Democratic challengers.
—Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Jan. 2025
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Sean P. Brooks, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2025
By clearly codifying into law the objectives and authorities of our international assistance programs in a bipartisan fashion, Congress would ensure that foreign assistance will not deviate from its core purpose nor fail to deliver value for Americans.
—Ted Yoho, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
The bill aims to close gaps in the law by codifying judicial precedent, addressing failures across family courts, law enforcement, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and schools.
—Chris Felder, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025
However, as seen with Trump’s rolling back of former President Joe Biden’s executive orders, many House Republicans are working to codify these policies to prevent them from being rescinded down the line or to place a legal roadblock in the way of Democratic challengers.
—Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for codify
Dictionary Entries Near codify
Cite this Entry
“Codify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/codify. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
codify
verb
cod·i·fy
ˈkäd-ə-ˌfī
ˈkōd-
codified; codifying
: to arrange (as a collection of laws) in an orderly form
Legal Definition
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