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
ScienceI 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
Sanjeeb Patel2
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
Christen Brownlee
bar coding
noun
Examples of barcode in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Rewards members will get an email notification with a unique barcode to get one free Original Grand Slam breakfast.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Even serial numbers, barcodes, and holograms can be copied if someone knows the fabrication details.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2025
Investigators say Velez’s legal troubles began nearly a year ago, when she was accused of using fake barcodes at a Cape Coral Target to purchase items at reduced prices, thefts that police say were confirmed through security video and her own TikTok activity.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Now, the new cards have a digital security signature that’s embedded into one of two barcodes that appear on the back, the state agency said in a news release.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2025
And store apps that allow customers to scan barcodes to see pricing haven’t seen enough consumer adoption to be a worthwhile solution yet either.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
Insert a capsule, press a button, and marvel as the machine scans the barcode and adjusts its settings to the perfect temperature, brew time, and pressure setting for that drink.
—Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Aug. 2025
To make everyone’s lives easier, airlines should look toward mobile scanning solutions that capture both barcodes and IDs.
—Samuel Mueller, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
State and local election officials employ robust safeguards including, but not limited to, barcode tracking, signature verification and secure drop boxes to ensure integrity.
—Anthony Vega, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Mike Snider, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Even serial numbers, barcodes, and holograms can be copied if someone knows the fabrication details.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2025
Investigators say Velez’s legal troubles began nearly a year ago, when she was accused of using fake barcodes at a Cape Coral Target to purchase items at reduced prices, thefts that police say were confirmed through security video and her own TikTok activity.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Now, the new cards have a digital security signature that’s embedded into one of two barcodes that appear on the back, the state agency said in a news release.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2025
And store apps that allow customers to scan barcodes to see pricing haven’t seen enough consumer adoption to be a worthwhile solution yet either.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
Insert a capsule, press a button, and marvel as the machine scans the barcode and adjusts its settings to the perfect temperature, brew time, and pressure setting for that drink.
—Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Aug. 2025
To make everyone’s lives easier, airlines should look toward mobile scanning solutions that capture both barcodes and IDs.
—Samuel Mueller, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
State and local election officials employ robust safeguards including, but not limited to, barcode tracking, signature verification and secure drop boxes to ensure integrity.
—Anthony Vega, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barcode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barcode. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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