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
Now, researchers have identified specific regions of the human genome connected to cannabis use, which means the propensity to get addicted to weed may be encoded in DNA.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025
Researchers are most interested in a gene cluster called the human leukocyte antigen system (HLA), which encodes proteins that help the immune system distinguish self from nonself.
—Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
Lo’s group, for one, is investigating encoding a qubit’s signal not onto another individual photon but rather onto a cluster of entangled photons.
—Margo Anderson, IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2025
The result is a genome-wide map of chromatin proximity, which encodes the three-dimensional organization of the genome.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encode
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Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025
Researchers are most interested in a gene cluster called the human leukocyte antigen system (HLA), which encodes proteins that help the immune system distinguish self from nonself.
—Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
Lo’s group, for one, is investigating encoding a qubit’s signal not onto another individual photon but rather onto a cluster of entangled photons.
—Margo Anderson, IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2025
The result is a genome-wide map of chromatin proximity, which encodes the three-dimensional organization of the genome.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Oct. 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 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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