Phrase guide

dead code

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Instructions that, when executed, have no effect on the running of the program.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences, software-compilation

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A portion of source code that will never be executed as part of the running program.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, programming, sciences

Examples

  • Many software projects contain much dead code in the form of deprecated functions.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: unreachable code

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: kuollut koodi — instructions that have no effect on the running of the program
  • German: toter Code — instructions that have no effect on the running of the program
  • German: toter Kode — instructions that have no effect on the running of the program
  • Italian: codice morto — instructions that have no effect on the running of the program
  • Turkish: ölü kod — instructions that have no effect on the running of the program