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
Instead, it may be based on billions of micro-decisions encoded in massive matrices.
—Tor Constantino, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
The team tried three methods of encoding the data, which differed in terms of how the pixels of the images were sliced up and how many qubits the resulting slices were sent to.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 11 Apr. 2025
In that case, when a stem cell differentiates, part of that execution involves turning on the genes that encode that cell type’s metabolism, said Jared Rutter (opens a new tab), a biochemist at the University of Utah.
—Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025
What’s a Topological Quantum Computer? Quantum computers run on qubits valued at 0, 1, or some superposition of the two, usually encoded through some local quantum property—say, whether an electron’s spin is up or down.
—IEEE Spectrum, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encode
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Tor Constantino, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
The team tried three methods of encoding the data, which differed in terms of how the pixels of the images were sliced up and how many qubits the resulting slices were sent to.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 11 Apr. 2025
In that case, when a stem cell differentiates, part of that execution involves turning on the genes that encode that cell type’s metabolism, said Jared Rutter (opens a new tab), a biochemist at the University of Utah.
—Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025
What’s a Topological Quantum Computer? Quantum computers run on qubits valued at 0, 1, or some superposition of the two, usually encoded through some local quantum property—say, whether an electron’s spin is up or down.
—IEEE Spectrum, 19 Mar. 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 20 May. 2025.
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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