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

Biden reauthorized deference and is now codifying it in the regulation. —Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

Inside the room: One sticking point is whether to codify a prior authorization rule the Biden administration issued this year or to include a prior authorization reform bill known as the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care in the package. —Victoria Knight, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024

The outlet operates under the VOA Charter, codified in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, which made permanent the journalistic and editorial freedom of the news outlet. —Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 13 Dec. 2024

The Supreme Court, in a 6-1 majority, found that the ban violated the right to privacy codified in the Montana State Constitution. —Trans Formations Project, Them, 13 Dec. 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