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code of conduct

code of conduct

23 3.4
A set of rules that members of a group must follow
  • noun
  • /koʊd əv ˈkɒndʌkt/
translation icon : código de conducta
  • Every organization should have a clear code of conduct that outlines expected behaviors for its members.
  • voluntary code of conduct
  • Islamic code of conduct
  • corporate code of conduct

We have a code of conduct and we are British, so our standard is very high.

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Examples

  • And Anthony Lurasetti was suspended for violating the code of conduct last year.

  • We have to find a code of conduct... ...that we can all agree to live by.

  • We have a code of conduct and we are British, so our standard is very high.

  • Right away, before we go any further, I wanna establish a code of conduct.

  • Most American Indian groups had codes of conduct but not written laws.

    Academic text (2013)
  • There's a code of conduct policy at the school.

  • Are you telling me that you haven't read our code of conduct?

  • All students should be aware of the college student code of conduct for clear delineations of their rights and responsibilities.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Around the world, corporate codes of conduct on human rights, labor standards, and environmental performance are proliferating.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Mr. Schneebly... this is considered the best elementary school in the state, and we maintain that reputation by adhering to a strict code of conduct-- faculty included.

Synonyms

code
vscode of conduct
  • Formal
492 3.9

A set of rules that people agree to follow in a job or group

is narrower, focusing on guiding member behavior in a group or organization
ethic
vscode of conduct
79 4.4

A set of moral rules that guide how a person or group behaves

is expressed as group rules that formally guide members' actions
strict code
vscode of conduct
3 4.2

A set of rules people must always follow with no exceptions

is less about strict enforcement and more about guiding members' behavior
ethical code
vscode of conduct
2 4.1

A set of rules that tell people in a job or group how to behave

is broader, covering general behavior rules not only moral matters
code of behavior
vscode of conduct
1 3.7

A set of rules members of a group like a school or company must follow

is used for formal organizational rules rather than informal social expectations
morals
vscode of conduct
1 2.3

Ideas about what is right and wrong that guide how people behave

is about formal group rules guiding members rather than individual beliefs

Antonyms

438 3.1

A situation with no order where people are confused and cannot act normally

79 6.5

A situation with no government and much disorder

How Formal

law
1.0
regulation
  • Formal
4.0
code of conduct
23 3.4
policy
2.7
guideline
344 3.1
suggestion
759 1.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

code + of + conduct

The meaning 'a set of rules guiding behaviour' is directly and predictably built from 'code' (written rules) + 'of' (linking) + 'conduct' (behaviour); a B1 learner who knows those words would infer the compound meaning. The construction is a common noun + of + noun pattern found cross-linguistically (e.g., código de conducta), supporting full transparency.

Etymology

Code of conduct comes from the image of a written code, a rule book that tells people how to conduct themselves. So, it means 'a set of rules' that guide how people should act.