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
Over time, a partner’s scent can become encoded as a signal of safety.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 June 2026
Stakeholders, decisions, outcomes, timelines, risks and causal relationships could be encoded in structured formats that AI systems understand immediately.
—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
20 June 2026
How the genes that encode those proteins are regulated depends on some of the genome that doesn’t code for proteins.
—
Philip Ball,
Quanta Magazine,
18 June 2026
Recently, scientists have developed acoustic devices in which sound waves can encode multiple values in its waves phase.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for encode
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Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 June 2026
Stakeholders, decisions, outcomes, timelines, risks and causal relationships could be encoded in structured formats that AI systems understand immediately.
—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
20 June 2026
How the genes that encode those proteins are regulated depends on some of the genome that doesn’t code for proteins.
—
Philip Ball,
Quanta Magazine,
18 June 2026
Recently, scientists have developed acoustic devices in which sound waves can encode multiple values in its waves phase.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for encode
Cite this Entry
“Encode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encode. Accessed 25 Jun. 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
