# RSA

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rsa
Updated: 2026-05-10

## Definition

Stands for Rivest-Shamir-Adleman. A system used to keep digital information secret and safe. It uses complex math to lock and unlock data so only the right person can read it.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Rivest-Shamir-Adleman. A public-key cryptosystem widely used for secure data transmission. It relies on the practical difficulty of factoring the product of two large prime numbers.

## Examples

- The website uses RSA encryption to protect your password.
- Modern banking apps rely on RSA algorithms to ensure that sensitive financial data remains private during online transactions.
- While newer methods like elliptic-curve cryptography are gaining popularity, RSA remains a foundational standard for digital signatures and secure key exchange across the internet.

## Usage notes

- Usually functions as an uncountable noun or as a noun adjunct modifying words like 'encryption', 'algorithm', or 'key'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.