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Definition of codify

codify

/ˈkoʊ.dɪ.faɪ/
cod · i · fy
Adjective:codifiable
•
Past Simple:codified
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Past Participle:codified
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Present Participle:codifying
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codify Lexical Profile

codify Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To arrange laws, rules, or principles into a systematic code.

Example

"The legislature voted to codify the longstanding judicial precedent into federal statute."

2

To organize, classify, or document procedures, knowledge, or practices according to a clear, structured system.

Example

"The engineering team worked for months to codify their design standards in an accessible handbook."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for codify

• Nearby Words

codfishing
codger
codifier
codify
coding
codirect
codirector

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 19th century by English philosopher Jeremy Bentham, formed from the noun 'code' (ultimately from Latin 'codex', meaning 'tree trunk' or 'book of laws') and the verb-forming suffix '-ify'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Codify. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/codify
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