barcode

[bahr-kohd]

noun

1. a series of lines of varying width, printed, as on a container or product, that can be read by an optical scanner to determine charges for purchases, destinations for letters, etc.

verb (used with object)

barcoded, barcoding 

1. to put a barcode on.

Word History and Origins

Origin of barcode¹

First recorded in 1960–65; bar ¹ (in the sense of “a band or strip”) + code

Example Sentences

It also features a barcode scanner, which opens a drop-down drawer that is big enough to accommodate parcels that do not fit in the traditional postbox slot.

From BBC

Ostensibly to prevent fraud, he ordered states to cease using barcode or QR code in the vote counting process, which would bar many jurisdictions from using voting machines.

From Salon

Customers procure a barcode from an app, then at the postbox they scan the barcode and drop the parcel into a drawer - this is all powered by solar panels on the box.

From BBC

To help, he now uses an app on his phone that can scan a product's barcode and identify where it's from.

From BBC

To access the data, shoppers will have to scan the QR code, then enter the 12-digit barcode number, along with a separate lot number.

From Los Angeles Times