encoded; encoding; encodes
1
a
: to convert (something, such as a body of information) from one system of communication into another
especially
: to convert (a message) into code
b
: to convey symbolically
… the capacity of poetry to encode ideology …—
J. D. Niles
J. D. Niles2
: to specify the genetic code for
encoder
noun
Examples of encode in a Sentence
Credit cards are encoded with cardholder information.
a technology that encodes images
Recent Examples on the Web
The protein’s normal function is to bind mRNA in the cell, stabilizing it and allowing the cell to construct more of the protein encoded within the mRNA.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 1 Jan. 2026
The vaccine is made according to each patient’s tumor, encoding genetic instructions that train the immune system to recognize cancer-specific markers known as neoantigens.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026
So Welch and his team set about building a system that consists of a digital component to interface with the GPU, a terahertz-frequency generator, and a mixer to encode the data on the terahertz signal.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Dec. 2025
The first is how a father’s body physically encodes lived experience, such as stress, diet, exercise or nicotine use, in the form of molecules — for example, as RNAs circulating in blood that reflect gene expression in tissues.
—Ivan Amato, Quanta Magazine, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encode
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Angus Chen, STAT, 1 Jan. 2026
The vaccine is made according to each patient’s tumor, encoding genetic instructions that train the immune system to recognize cancer-specific markers known as neoantigens.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026
So Welch and his team set about building a system that consists of a digital component to interface with the GPU, a terahertz-frequency generator, and a mixer to encode the data on the terahertz signal.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Dec. 2025
The first is how a father’s body physically encodes lived experience, such as stress, diet, exercise or nicotine use, in the form of molecules — for example, as RNAs circulating in blood that reflect gene expression in tissues.
—Ivan Amato, Quanta Magazine, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encode
Cite this Entry
“Encode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encode. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
encode
verb
en·code
in-ˈkōd 
en-
: to change (as a body of information) from one system of communication into another
especially
: to change (a message) into code
encoder
noun
Medical Definition
encode
transitive verb
en·code
in-ˈkōd, en-
encoded; encoding
: to specify the genetic code for
each nucleotide triplet or codon on the mRNA chain encodes a specific amino acid—J. E. Darnell, Jr.
J. E. Darnell, Jr.Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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