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
Researchers expect many more to be discovered in the process of identifying, in effect, each of the billions of eukaryotic genes on Earth, many of which encode a protein of some kind.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
To explain these distortions, experts speculate that the figures served as fertility talismans—designed to maximize those parts of the body that evolution has encoded us to see as signs of optimal child-bearers.
—Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Also encoded in the title is a reference to the Lake Cooperative, a plot of land in northwest Russia where Putin’s inner circle gathered for vacations.
—Anna Nemtsova, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2025
This future network would operate by sending information encoded onto individual photons.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encode
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IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
To explain these distortions, experts speculate that the figures served as fertility talismans—designed to maximize those parts of the body that evolution has encoded us to see as signs of optimal child-bearers.
—Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Also encoded in the title is a reference to the Lake Cooperative, a plot of land in northwest Russia where Putin’s inner circle gathered for vacations.
—Anna Nemtsova, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2025
This future network would operate by sending information encoded onto individual photons.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 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 Oct. 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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