Phrase guide

escape character

noun · 1 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

A single metacharacter, usually a control code, which in a sequence of characters signifies that what is to follow takes an alternative interpretation. The term escape sequence refers to the escape character and the subsequent character or characters so modified.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: communications, computing, electrical-engineering, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences, telecommunications

Examples

  • In the C programming language, the backslash is an escape character; for example, \n represents a newline.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From escape + character.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 转义字符 (zhuǎnyì zìfú) — Translations
  • Finnish: koodinvaihtomerkki — Translations
  • Finnish: suojausmerkki — Translations
  • Greek: χαρακτήρας διαφυγής (charaktíras diafygís) — Translations
  • Spanish: carácter de escape — Translations