encode

verb

en·​code in-ˈkōd How to pronounce encode (audio)
en-
encoded; encoding; encodes

transitive verb

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 ideologyJ. D. Niles
2
: 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 Recall that in an ordinary quantum error-correcting code, a virtual qubit is encoded in superpositions of physical qubits. Ben Brubaker, WIRED, 17 Mar. 2024 The interference of these fields produces new focal zones, allowing the lens to encode several focal lengths in a single pupil, resulting in multifocality. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Opening the same file in a hex editor—a tool for analyzing and forensically investigating binary files—showed that a combination of tabs, spaces, and new lines were arranged in a way that encoded executable code. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 30 Jan. 2024 There was the discovery of the Fibonacci sequence, encoded in the set — as well as an approximation of π. Quanta Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024 But the dynamics of their relationship are encoded into the music in other ways, too. Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 5 Mar. 2024 When input in the form of light flows into the chip, the output light encodes data from complex tasks. IEEE Spectrum, 4 Mar. 2024 More importantly, a clip from Netflix encoded at 1080p and 25fps jumped from a stuttering <10fps with libgav1 to a smooth 25fps when switching to the new decoder. Paul Monckton, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Since each physical qubit encodes no information, errors in single qubits won’t ruin a computation. Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'encode.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of encode was circa 1919

Dictionary Entries Near encode

Cite this Entry

“Encode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encode. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

encode

verb
en·​code in-ˈkōd How to pronounce encode (audio)
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- How to pronounce encode (audio)
encoded; encoding
: to specify the genetic code for
each nucleotide triplet or codon on the mRNA chain encodes a specific amino acidJ. E. Darnell, Jr.
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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