English Reference

Word

encoded

Phoneticsen·cod·ed

US/ɛnˈkoʊdɪd/

UK/ɛnkˈəʊdɪd/

Definition

adj. written in a secret code or changed into a special format that a computer can read. You use this to describe information that is hidden or organized in a specific way.

adj. converted into a coded form or a specific digital format for transmission or storage. Often used as a participial adjective to describe data, messages, or biological information.

Examples

“The encoded message was impossible for the enemy to read.”

“All sensitive customer data is stored in an encoded format to prevent unauthorized access during a breach.”

“The researchers discovered that the genetic instructions were encoded within a specific sequence of proteins, allowing the cell to replicate accurately under stress.”

Examples

simple

“The encoded message was impossible for the enemy to read.”

contextual

“All sensitive customer data is stored in an encoded format to prevent unauthorized access during a breach.”

complex

“The researchers discovered that the genetic instructions were encoded within a specific sequence of proteins, allowing the cell to replicate accurately under stress.”

Usage

Often follows a linking verb or precedes a noun; frequently paired with 'in' to describe the medium.

Real-World Examples

“More broadly, the research shows how laboratory experiments and artificial intelligence can be combined to uncover information encoded in human DNA.”
ScienceDaily · 23 Aug 2026
“Denning argues that the most important parts of human intelligence, including common sense, intuition, culture, and practical know-how, cannot be encoded into computers.”
ScienceDaily · 14 Jul 2026

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

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English Reference