ciphertext

noun

ci·​pher·​text ˈsī-fər-ˌtekst How to pronounce ciphertext (audio)
: the enciphered form of a text or of its elements compare plaintext

Examples of ciphertext in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Only individuals possessing the right decryption key can restore the ciphertext to its original form. Ofer Lidsky, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 These algorithms take a block of plaintext and the encryption key as input and run them through a subprocess that repeats for a set number of rounds before outputting a finished ciphertext. Ars Technica, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ciphertext was in 1939

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Cite this Entry

“Ciphertext.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ciphertext. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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