Encode: meaning, definitions and examples

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encode

[ɪnˈkoʊd ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Verb}

data security

To convert information into code to prevent unauthorized access.

Synonyms

cipher, encrypt, scramble.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
encode	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.
encrypt	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.
scramble	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.
cipher	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.

Examples of usage

Please encode this sensitive data before sending it over the internet.
The software encodes the messages to ensure privacy.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'encode' comes from the prefix 'en-' meaning to put into, and 'code,' which refers to a system of symbols representing information.
It first appeared in the English language in the early 20th century, primarily in the context of telecommunication and computing.

Technology

Encoding is used in various digital formats such as MP3 for audio files, JPEG for images, and HTML for web content.
The process helps reduce the size of files, making them easier to store and share over the internet.
Different encoding schemes, like UTF-8 and ASCII, allow computers to process characters for various languages around the world.

Cryptography

In cryptography, encoding helps secure messages by translating them into formats that are difficult for outsiders to understand.
Historical methods of encoding include ciphers, where letters are substituted or shifted to protect information.

Psychology

Cognitive psychology studies how our brains encode memories, changing experiences into long-term recollections.
Encoding involves manipulating sensory information to enhance memory retention, often using strategies like visualization.

Pop Culture

Movies and books often portray characters encoding messages, like spies passing secret information or hackers breaking into systems.
The classic 'Enigma machine' from World War II is a famous historical example of encoding used to keep communication secure.

Translations

Translations of the word "encode" in other languages:

🇵🇹 codificar

🇮🇳 कोड करना

🇩🇪 kodieren

🇮🇩 mengodekan

🇺🇦 кодувати

🇵🇱 kodować

🇯🇵 エンコードする

🇫🇷 encoder

🇪🇸 codificar

🇹🇷 kodlamak

🇰🇷 인코딩하다

🇸🇦 تشفير

🇨🇿 kódovat

🇸🇰 kódovať

🇨🇳 编码

🇸🇮 kodirati

🇮🇸 kóða

🇰🇿 кодтау

🇬🇪 კოდირება

🇦🇿 kodlaşdırmaq

🇲🇽 codificar

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,858, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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18855 rejoin
18856 hurdles
18857 engender
18858 encode
18859 cannabis
18860 sounder
18861 bottomed
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