alphanumeric
adjective
al·pha·nu·mer·ic ˌal-fə-nu̇-ˈmer-ik 
-nyu̇-
variants or less commonly alphanumerical
ˌal-fə-n(y)u̇-ˈmer-i-kəl
1
: consisting of both letters and numbers and often other symbols (such as punctuation marks and mathematical symbols)
an alphanumeric code
also : being a character in an alphanumeric system
2
: capable of using or displaying alphanumeric characters
alphanumerically
ˌal-fə-n(y)u̇-ˈmer-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb alphanumerics
ˌal-fə-n(y)u̇-ˈmer-iks
plural noun 
Did you know?
Alphanumeric passwords are much harder for a hacker to crack than plain alphabetic passwords, since the number of possible combinations is so much greater. License plates usually contain both letters and numbers, since, for a big state or country, the plate wouldn't be large enough to fit enough numbers for everyone. In computing, the standard alphanumeric codes, such as ASCII, may contain not only ordinary letters and numerals but also punctuation marks and math symbols.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Cadillac has made other attempts at re-invention, including a shift to alphanumeric names for its vehicles before going back to names again. 
Peter Valdes-dapena, CNN, 22 July 2022 For those not acquainted with Bugatti taxonomy, the model designations present a bewildering assault of alphanumeric nomenclatures. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 4 July 2022 And during this latest wave — fueled by an alphanumeric soup of Omicron subvariants, including BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 — such aggressive action seems off the table. Luke Money, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2022 In the span of just a few months, Omicron has already sprouted several new alphanumeric offshoots—BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5—that can dodge the defenses that even a tussle with their sibling BA.1 leaves behind. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 May 2022 Lately however, the post-Omicron news landscape is turning into alphanumeric soup again. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2022 For example, each Louis Vuitton bag made since 1982 bears an alphanumeric code that can help authenticate a piece. Alesandra Dubin, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2022 In this case, members of the group wore masks with the number 131, which for members of the Nationalist Social Club is alphanumeric code for ACA, or Anti Communist Action. BostonGlobe.com, 22 Mar. 2022 According to the Anti-Defamation League, the group’s name comes from an alphanumeric code for ACA, or Anti Communist Action. Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2022 See More
Peter Valdes-dapena, CNN, 22 July 2022 For those not acquainted with Bugatti taxonomy, the model designations present a bewildering assault of alphanumeric nomenclatures. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 4 July 2022 And during this latest wave — fueled by an alphanumeric soup of Omicron subvariants, including BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 — such aggressive action seems off the table. Luke Money, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2022 In the span of just a few months, Omicron has already sprouted several new alphanumeric offshoots—BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5—that can dodge the defenses that even a tussle with their sibling BA.1 leaves behind. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 May 2022 Lately however, the post-Omicron news landscape is turning into alphanumeric soup again. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2022 For example, each Louis Vuitton bag made since 1982 bears an alphanumeric code that can help authenticate a piece. Alesandra Dubin, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2022 In this case, members of the group wore masks with the number 131, which for members of the Nationalist Social Club is alphanumeric code for ACA, or Anti Communist Action. BostonGlobe.com, 22 Mar. 2022 According to the Anti-Defamation League, the group’s name comes from an alphanumeric code for ACA, or Anti Communist Action. Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
alphabetic + numeric, numerical
First Known Use
1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1
- parallelepipeda
- parallelepipedons
- parallelepipeds
- paralleling
- parallelise
- parallelised
- paralleliser
- parallelisers
- parallelises
- parallelising
- parallelism
- parallelisms
- parallelist
- parallelistic
- parallelists
- parallelization
- parallelize
- parallelized
- parallelizer
- parallelizers
- parallelizes
- parallelizing
- parallelled
- parallelling
- parallelly