area code

noun

1. a three-digit code that identifies one of the telephone areas into which the U.S. and certain other countries are divided and that precedes the local telephone number when dialing a call between areas.

area code

noun

1. a number prefixed to an individual telephone number: used in making long-distance calls

Word History and Origins

Origin of area code¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

A subway entrance can be clearly seen in the background of the video with a sign featuring a telephone number that has a New York area code.

From Seattle Times

What he didn’t say was, “I just prefer to do my rooting from another area code.”

From Salon

Then it gave a phone number, with a New Hampshire area code.

From New York Times

County says it needs a federal fix to make sure Angelenos with out-of-town area codes can access local services when they call 988.

From Los Angeles Times

Her area code was 321, and as a result of her mother’s job at a technology company she got to watch occasional satellite launches.

From Los Angeles Times