codify
verb
cod·i·fy
ˈkä-də-ˌfī 
ˈkō-
codified; codifying
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
Ronald Wardhaugh
b
: classify
Customer complaints are codified as dissatisfaction feedback.
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
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
See all Example Sentences for codify 
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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
See all Example Sentences for codify
Dictionary Entries Near codify
Cite this Entry
“Codify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/codify. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
codify
verb
cod·i·fy
ˈkäd-ə-ˌfī
ˈkōd-
codified; codifying
: to arrange (as a collection of laws) in an orderly form
Legal Definition
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