barcode
barcode Lexical Profile
barcode Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A machine-readable code in the form of numbers and a pattern of parallel lines of varying widths, printed on a commodity and used especially for stock control and pricing.
"The cashier scanned the barcode on the cereal box to check its price."
A short, standardized sequence of DNA used to identify a biological species, analogous to a retail label.
"Researchers sequenced the genetic barcode to confirm the specimen belonged to a newly discovered species of beetle."
• verb
To mark or label an item with a machine-readable pattern of parallel lines for identification or tracking.
"Warehouse staff must barcode every incoming package before placing it on the shelves."
To identify or classify an organism or biological sample by analyzing a short, standardized region of its DNA.
"The laboratory plans to barcode all collected insect specimens to build a regional biodiversity database."
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the mid-20th century as a compound of 'bar' (referring to the parallel printed stripes) and 'code' (a system of symbols used to represent data).