code name

¹ American  

[kohd neym] / ˈkoʊd ˌneɪm /

noun

1. a name assigned to conceal the real identity of a person, as a spy, or to conceal the existence or purpose of a plan, military operation, etc.

2. Also called code phrase.  a word or phrase assigned a meaning understood only by those who are secretly informed of it.

---

code-name ² American  

[kohd-neym] / ˈkoʊdˌneɪm /

verb (used with object)

code-named, code-naming

1. to assign a code name to.

---

Etymology

Origin of code name¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Origin of code-name²

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

The title of the invitation was "Send project Dawn email," an apparent reference to Amazon's code name for the job cuts.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2026

Southwest began testing new boarding months before assigned seating was announced using the code name Project USA.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025

The latter is salient because the name Oracle comes from the code name of a CIA-funded project that Ellison worked on.

From Barron's • Oct. 10, 2025

The code name for the massive operation to catch Miller, in the summer and fall of 1984, was “Whipworm,” a reference to an intestinal parasite.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2025

That was the code name for our secret mission to nail Dusty Muleman.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen