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coder

American  
[koh-der] / ˈkoʊ dər /

noun

  1. a person or device that translates information into a code.

  2. a person who assigns codes to objects or data.

    Medical coders assign standard codes to medical services so that insurance companies can pay claims.

  3. Computers. a person who writes computer code; a programmer.


coder British  
/ ˈkəʊdə /

noun

  1. a person or thing that codes

  2. electronics a device for transforming normal signals into a coded form

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of coder

First recorded in 1925–30; code ( def. ) + -er 1 ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The idea came about after another co-founder, a coder and glassblowing artist named Jim McKelvey, couldn’t sell one of his sculptural glass faucets because he couldn’t accept credit cards.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

At first, the company used an outside coder, but back-and-forth requests were a hassle.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

For the coder, McNamara, talking more to chatbots has made him a better buddy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

ROBOT!’ into your ear,” writer and coder Jack McNamara wrote recently of the phenomenon on Medium.

From Slate • Aug. 20, 2025

The day was coder than it had been for some time, for the autumn was almost within sight, and the two boys were in the tilting yard with the master armourer and Merlyn.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White