bar code

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ˈbar ˌcode, n. [countable]

1. a series of lines printed on or applied to an item for identification by an optical scanner.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

bar′ code′, 

1. Computing, Business 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. Cf. Universal Product Code.

• 1970–75