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
Our proof-of-concept tool encodes the state-specific prior-authorization rules of four large insurers into a surprisingly simple digital contract.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Or are they encoded accounts of things that happened on some other, less palpable level, but were no less real for that?
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025
The satellite encodes encryption keys into individual photons, then beams them to each ground station.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 27 Mar. 2025
Stories that were shared verbally were transcribed and summarized, and the text was encoded in the eye itself and is able to be decoded using the project website.
—John Werner, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encode
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Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Or are they encoded accounts of things that happened on some other, less palpable level, but were no less real for that?
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025
The satellite encodes encryption keys into individual photons, then beams them to each ground station.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 27 Mar. 2025
Stories that were shared verbally were transcribed and summarized, and the text was encoded in the eye itself and is able to be decoded using the project website.
—John Werner, Forbes, 24 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 22 Apr. 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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