Encode: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this term when you want to transform plain data into a specific format or code, often for secure transmission or storage.

• We need to encode this message before sending it to the server.
• The video file was encoded to reduce its size.

This word is generally used when discussing the process of converting data into a code, especially to prevent unauthorized access.

• All sensitive information should be encrypted before being sent over the internet.
• The application encrypts users' passwords for added security.

Use this word when describing a process that makes data unreadable or jumbled, often in a less formal or more chaotic context. It can also be used with a negative connotation in some contexts.

• The image was scrambled after the software glitch.
• They scrambled the channels to prevent unauthorized viewing.

This term is typically used when referring to a method of transforming readable text into an unreadable format, especially in cryptography.

• The ancient manuscript was written in a cipher that no one could decipher.
• They used a complex cipher to protect their communications.