plaintext
noun
plain·text
ˈplān-ˌtekst 
: the intelligible form of an encrypted text or of its elements compare ciphertext
Examples of plaintext in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
What Is Data Encryption? Data encryption is the process of converting readable data (plaintext) into an unreadable format (ciphertext) using a cryptographic key.
—
Ofer Lidsky, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Since 1988, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority has managed the Web’s Domain Name System—basically the system that converts our plaintext addresses like spectrum.ieee.org into the actual numerical IP addresses that computers use to navigate to specific sites.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 June 2018
Following a report by Krebs on Security, the company acknowledged in March 2019 that a bug in its password management systems had caused hundreds of millions of Facebook, Facebook Lite, and Instagram passwords to be stored without protection in plaintext in an internal platform.
—Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 28 Sep. 2024
Because the conversion works in only one direction—from plaintext to hash—there is no cryptographic means for converting the hashes back into plaintext.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for plaintext 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ofer Lidsky, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Since 1988, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority has managed the Web’s Domain Name System—basically the system that converts our plaintext addresses like spectrum.ieee.org into the actual numerical IP addresses that computers use to navigate to specific sites.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 June 2018
Following a report by Krebs on Security, the company acknowledged in March 2019 that a bug in its password management systems had caused hundreds of millions of Facebook, Facebook Lite, and Instagram passwords to be stored without protection in plaintext in an internal platform.
—Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 28 Sep. 2024
Because the conversion works in only one direction—from plaintext to hash—there is no cryptographic means for converting the hashes back into plaintext.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for plaintext
Articles Related to plaintext
Dictionary Entries Near plaintext
Cite this Entry
“Plaintext.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plaintext. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share