codify

verb

cod·​i·​fy ˈkä-də-ˌfī 

ˈkō-

codified; codifying

transitive verb

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

b

: classify

Customer complaints are codified as dissatisfaction feedback.

codifiability

ˌkä-də-ˌfī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌkō-

noun

codification

ˌkä-də-fə-ˈkā-shən 

ˌkō-

noun

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

• assort
• break down
• categorize
• class
• classify
• compartment
• compartmentalize
• digest
• distinguish
• distribute
• grade
• group
• peg
• place
• range
• rank
• relegate
• separate
• sort
• type

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

If passed, this regulation will codify data privacy protections for consumers across the U.S., including the right to be forgotten. —Greg Brunk, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

California, Colorado and Hawaii all have ballot measures that would codify the right of people of all genders to marry under state law. —Kate Sosin, Them, 5 Nov. 2024

And Harris has pledged, if she is elected, to support a security bill introduced in the Senate early this year that would codify many of Biden’s sharply restrictive measures into law. —Julia Preston, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2024

Deaton, who supports codifying Roe v. Wade, said Warren has been misrepresenting his pro-choice position on the campaign trail. —Mike Deehan, Axios, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

code entry 1 + -ify

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

codify

verb

cod·​i·​fy ˈkäd-ə-ˌfī 

ˈkōd-

codified; codifying

: to arrange (as a collection of laws) in an orderly form

codification

ˌkäd-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

ˌkōd-

noun

Legal Definition

codify

transitive verb

cod·​i·​fy ˈkä-də-ˌfī, ˈkō- 

codified; codifying

: to reduce (laws) to a code

codification

ˌkä-də-fə-ˈkā-shən, ˌkō- 

noun