Bar code is a term that is commonly used in the modern world, especially in the retail industry. It is a technology that has revolutionized the way businesses operate, making it easier to track and manage inventory. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of bar code, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
A bar code is a series of parallel lines and spaces that represent numbers, letters, or symbols. It is a machine-readable code that is used to identify products, track inventory, and process transactions. Bar codes are typically printed on labels or tags and can be scanned using a barcode reader.
Origin
The first bar code was invented in 1948 by Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver, who were students at Drexel University in Philadelphia. They were inspired by Morse code, which uses dots and dashes to represent letters and numbers. The first bar code was a series of lines that were printed on a piece of paper and could be read using a scanner.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a bar code is “a code consisting of a group of printed and variously patterned bars and spaces and sometimes numerals that is designed to be scanned and read into computer memory and that contains information (such as identification) about the object it labels.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines a bar code as “a series of parallel lines of varying widths, printed on a product or its packaging, which can be read by an optical scanner to identify the product.”
Associations
Bar codes are commonly associated with the retail industry, where they are used to track inventory, process transactions, and manage supply chains. They are also used in healthcare, where they are used to track patient information and medication. Bar codes are also used in transportation, where they are used to track packages and shipments.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of bar code include:
- Barcode.
- UPC code.
- EAN code.
- QR code.
- Data matrix code.
Antonyms
There are no true antonyms of bar code, as it is a specific technology. However, some words that could be considered antonyms include:
- Manual tracking.
- Analog identification.
- Non-digital labeling.
The same root words
There are no true root words for bar code, as it is a compound word. However, some related words include:
- Code.
- Scanner.
- Label.
Example Sentences
- The cashier scanned the bar code on the product to process the transaction.
- The hospital used bar codes to track patient information and medication.
- The shipping company used bar codes to track packages and shipments.
- The manufacturer printed bar codes on the product labels to manage inventory.
- The retailer used a barcode reader to scan the bar code on the product.