dress code

noun

: formally or socially imposed standards of dress

Examples of dress code in a Sentence

The school imposed a new dress code that forbids students from wearing jeans.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But this year, according to a dress code reviewed by The Athletic, women have been told that strapless, off-the-shoulder and spaghetti-strap attire is not permitted, with illustrations of appropriate and inappropriate wear for both men and women. Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026 According to People, multiple sources confirmed a black tie dress code, so there's no such thing as too fancy. Lizzie Logan, Glamour, 4 July 2026 Guests have started sharing glimpses of their wedding-day looks, which were to adhere to a black-tie dress code. Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 The How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days actor and his longtime love made their debut at the iconic tennis tournament—held annually at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England—last year and nailed the dress code. Meg Walters, InStyle, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dress code

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dress code was in 1889

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dress code.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dress%20code. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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