upc

IPA/ˌjuː piː ˈsiː/
IPA/ˌjuː piː ˈsiː/

upc — abbreviation

1. a set of black bars and numbers on a product or its package that stores scan to

1.abbreviationB2
Definition

a set of black bars and numbers on a product or its package that stores scan to identify the item and find its price in the system

Example

The cashier scanned the UPC on the cereal box twice.

scan a UPC at checkout

Adina checked the UPC before listing the headphones online.

Common collocations
  • scan a UPC
  • check a UPC
  • UPC label
  • UPC scanner
  • UPC on the box
  • type the UPC manually
Synonyms
  • barcode

    a broader everyday term; a UPC is one kind of barcode used for products

  • product code

    a broader label for an identifying code; it may not be a scannable retail barcode

  • EAN

    a related international barcode standard, not the same code system

Grammar Patterns

scan a UPC

check the UPC on + package

type a UPC manually

Usage Note

Most often used in retail, warehouse, and shipping contexts. Outside those settings, many speakers simply say barcode, even when they mean the specific code on a package.

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • scan a UPC
  • check the UPC
  • print a UPC
  • type the UPC manually

Etymology

Englishacronym

UPC comes from the first letters of Universal Product Code. The short form became common in retail and shipping because stores use the code on a product package to identify an item quickly when it is scanned.