bar code: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal; widely used in commercial, technical, and everyday contexts.
Quick answer
What does “bar code” mean?
A machine-readable pattern of parallel lines of varying widths printed on a product, used to identify it and its price.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A machine-readable pattern of parallel lines of varying widths printed on a product, used to identify it and its price.
A visual representation of data in a format readable by a scanner, used for identification, tracking, or data retrieval in various systems. Can refer metaphorically to any system of standardized, simplified identification.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'barcode' is increasingly accepted as a single word in both varieties, but 'bar code' (two words) remains standard in formal publishing. The compound form 'barcode' is slightly more common in UK technical writing. No difference in meaning.
Connotations
Identical. Connotes efficiency, standardization, and modern retail/inventory systems.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties due to the globalized nature of retail and logistics.
Grammar
How to Use “bar code” in a Sentence
The cashier scanned [the bar code].The product is identified [by its bar code].The system generated [a new bar code] [for the item].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bar code” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to barcode all the new stock before it goes on the shelves.
- The library is barcoding its entire collection.
American English
- The warehouse will barcode each pallet for tracking.
- Has this batch been barcoded yet?
adverb
British English
- This data is stored barcode-style. (Rare/Non-standard)
American English
- The items were organized, almost barcode-like, on the shelf. (Rare/Non-standard)
adjective
British English
- Ensure the barcode label is firmly attached.
- We are upgrading our barcode technology.
American English
- The barcode scanner malfunctioned.
- A barcode system is essential for efficiency.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Essential for inventory management, point-of-sale systems, and supply chain logistics.
Academic
Used in papers on logistics, computer science (data representation), and sociology (studies of consumer society).
Everyday
Common when shopping, returning items, or using self-checkout machines.
Technical
Refers to specific symbologies (Code 128, Code 39), encoding standards, and scanning hardware/software.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bar code”
- Incorrect spelling: 'barcode' vs. 'bar code' (both are generally acceptable, but style guides may prefer the two-word form).
- Using 'bar code' to refer specifically to a QR code (which is a 2D matrix barcode).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are widely used. 'Bar code' (two words) is the traditional form found in many dictionaries and style guides, while 'barcode' (one word) is an increasingly common closed compound, especially in technical and marketing contexts.
A bar code (like UPC) is one-dimensional, storing data in the widths of parallel lines. A QR code is two-dimensional, storing data in a square grid of black and white modules, allowing it to hold much more information, including website links.
Yes, though less common. 'To barcode' (often spelled as one word) means to attach or assign a bar code to something (e.g., 'The library barcoded all its books').
The concept is global, but the specific standards vary. For example, North America primarily uses UPC, while Europe and most other regions use EAN. These are compatible, as EAN includes the UPC as a subset.
A machine-readable pattern of parallel lines of varying widths printed on a product, used to identify it and its price.
Bar code is usually neutral to formal; widely used in commercial, technical, and everyday contexts. in register.
Bar code: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɑː ˌkəʊd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːr ˌkoʊd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Living by the bar code: A metaphorical phrase implying a life governed by consumerism and standardized identification.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BAR with lines of different widths, and a CODE that holds information. The lines are like a secret BARrier CODE for machines to read.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDENTITY IS A CODE; TRACKING IS SCANNING. A complex identity is reduced to a simple, scannable pattern.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a bar code in a retail context?