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.

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code-name ² American  

[kohd-neym] / ˈkoʊdˌneɪm /

verb (used with object)

code-named, code-naming

1. to assign a code name to.

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Etymology

Origin of code name¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Origin of code-name²

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

In others, they appeared to refer to the woman Summers was attracted to by a code name: “peril.”

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

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

His secret service code name is “Legend.”

From Los Angeles Times