area code
35
1.8
- noun
- /ˈɛəriə koʊd/
- US
:
código de área
- I've been living in Los Angeles, that's why I have the 323 area code right there, in case you were wondering.
- area code numbers
- dial an area code
- area code phone number
Examples
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That's why we have area codes.
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The area code is 404, and it's 555-9653.
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I never remember the area code.
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His number must have an area code.
Fiction book (2000) -
"We're in the same area code.
Fiction book (2000) -
I called the number right back, and she answered, and it was a Virginia area code.
Fiction book (1994) -
Yes, ma'am, I know the area code and number.
-
Tell me the area code that you'll call from and then I'll pick up that phone.
-
My name is Sharon Leech, and you can reach me here at K-YZY in Monterey, area code 805.
Fiction book (1992) -
The area code for San Francisco is 415, so be sure to use it when calling.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a numeric code assigned to a geographic region for telephone numbers' is directly derivable from combining 'area' (a region) with 'code' (an identifying label/number); a B1 learner who knows both words can infer a label that identifies an area. This is a regular noun–noun compound following common cross‑linguistic patterns (e.g. equivalents in many languages), so the expression is transparently compositional.
Etymology
Area code comes from the idea of giving each area a short code of numbers on the phone system. Imagine a map where every part has its own number so calls go to the right place, and that's why area code today tells you the 'region' of a 'telephone number'.