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

Goren allegedly worked alongside Ozgur Altun, known by the code name "Abu Yasir Al Turki".

From Barron's • Dec. 22, 2025

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

The Israelis used the code name Philadelphi for the strip, while Egyptian officials call it Salah Al Din.

From New York Times • May 30, 2024

Geopolitically, things seem to have deteriorated, which created an interesting milieu for my spy — code name Kane — to inhabit.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2024

The code name for these “privileges” is turtle, and when you want to purchase a privilege, you tell the guardia in charge that you’d like to throw some water on the turtle.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez