encapsulate

verb

en·​cap·​su·​late in-ˈkap-sə-ˌlāt 

en-

encapsulated; encapsulating

transitive verb

1

: to enclose in or as if in a capsule

a pilot encapsulated in the cockpit

2

: epitomize, summarize

encapsulate an era in an aphorism

intransitive verb

: to become encapsulated

encapsulation

in-ˌkap-sə-ˈlā-shən 

en-

noun

Did you know?

We’ll keep it brief by encapsulating the history of this word in just a few sentences. Encapsulate and its related noun, capsule, come to English (via French) from capsula, a diminutive form of the Latin noun capsa, meaning “box.” (Capsa also gave English the word case as it refers to a container or box—not to be confused with the case in “just in case,” which is a separate case.) The earliest examples of encapsulate are for its literal use, “to enclose something in a capsule,” and they date to the late 19th century. Its extended meaning, “to give a summary or synopsis of something,” plays on the notion of a capsule being something compact, self-contained, and often easily digestible.

Synonyms of encapsulate

• summarize
• outline

Examples of encapsulate in a Sentence

The contaminated material should be encapsulated and removed.

can you encapsulate the president's speech in about a paragraph?

Recent Examples on the Web

The series of Aerocork’s sandals and clogs is designed to enjoy long summer days and easy moments — encapsulating the brand’s distinct style, comfort and wearability. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 26 May 2026

Additionally, the scene encapsulates the dynamic between the two sisters. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 25 May 2026

How many have even the slightest idea how the systems that encapsulate their lives actually work? —Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

Within the Iranian diaspora, however, there has been fury, encapsulated by the letter sent by the Institute for Voices of Liberty on May 20, within 48 hours of the story being reported. —Adam Crafton, New York Times, 25 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for encapsulate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

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Kids Definition

encapsulate

verb

en·​cap·​su·​late in-ˈkap-sə-ˌlāt 

encapsulated; encapsulating

1

: to enclose in a capsule

2

: to tell or relate (as a report) in a few words

encapsulation

-ˌkap-sə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

encapsulate

verb

en·​cap·​su·​late in-ˈkap-sə-ˌlāt 

encapsulated; encapsulating

transitive verb

: to surround, encase, or protect in or as if in a capsule

DNA has been encapsulated in microspheres

—Paul Smaglik

intransitive verb

: to become encapsulated

a bacillus that encapsulates in the human body

encapsulation

-ˌkap-sə-ˈlā-shən 

noun