Coda

Coda is a term with multiple meanings across music, linguistics, film, and technology. Etymologically it comes from the Italian word for tail, used to denote a concluding section or tailing part in various contexts.

In music, a coda is a concluding section of a composition or movement, often distinct in character from earlier material. It serves to bring the piece to a sense of closure and may restate themes or introduce new material. Musically, directions such as da capo al coda or dal segno al coda guide performers to jump to a later section labeled “coda.”

In phonology and phonetics, the coda refers to the consonant or consonant cluster that follows the nucleus within a syllable. Examples include the final consonants in “cat” (t) or “should” (ld). The coda is part of the syllable structure, contrasted with the onset and nucleus.

CODA also appears as a proper noun in culture and organization. CODA is the nonprofit organization for “Children Of Deaf Adults,” which supports Deaf communities and families. CODA is the title of the 2021 American drama film directed by Siân Heder, with the acronym standing for “Child of Deaf Adults.” The film centers on a hearing child in a Deaf family and received critical acclaim, including Best Picture at the 2022 Academy Awards and acting honors for Troy Kotsur.

In computing, Coda was a macOS web development application created by Panic, released in the mid-2000s, integrating a code editor, file management, and live preview. It was eventually superseded by Panic’s newer editor, Nova.