moral code

[ mawr-uhl kohd, mor- ]

noun

1. a set of rules or principles of ethical conduct for a person or a group of people:

   The moral code and religious law of Islam deals with broad topics, such as crime and politics, but also with personal matters, like diet and prayer.

   She refused to take the job, saying that it was incompatible with her personal moral code.

Word History and Origins

Origin of moral code¹

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

The homicide detective, like the painter, is motivated by a sense of fairness formed by faith and a nonnegotiable moral code.

From The Daily Beast

After Lucky Strike pulled out of the agency, Faye broke her moral code and got Don a meeting with Heinz.

From The Daily Beast

One comes from the fact that horror movies, even slasher flicks, generally stick to an almost Victorian moral code.

From The Daily Beast

The former upholds a moral code, or points out its flaws and contradictions; the latter, by casting it all in good fun, condones.

From The Daily Beast

At the university level, I was given permission to think differently and form a moral code of my own design.

From The Daily Beast

The surplus was distributed in alms amongst the poor, a duty strenuously prescribed by their moral code.

From Project Gutenberg

His moral code was characterized by the same cool calculation.

From Project Gutenberg

For that purpose we need a new moral code, and we can never win our victory without it.

From Project Gutenberg

What means the whole moral code of revealed religion regarding the due keeping of our own bodies, soberness, temperance, etc.?

From Project Gutenberg

The Decalogue is a very imperfect moral code; not at all superior to the religious and legislative codes of other ancient peoples.

From Project Gutenberg