encapsulate

[en-kap-suh-leyt, -syoo-]

verb (used with object)

encapsulated, encapsulating 

1. to place in or as if in a capsule.

2. to summarize or condense.

verb (used without object)

encapsulated, encapsulating 

1. to become enclosed in or as if in a capsule.

encapsulate

/ ɪnˈkæpsjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. to enclose or be enclosed in or as if in a capsule

2. (tr) to sum up in a short or concise form; condense; abridge

Other Word Forms

• encapsulation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of encapsulate¹

First recorded in 1860–65; en- ¹ + capsulate

Example Sentences

I don’t even want to call it being grateful because I don’t think grateful encapsulates it, but it’s this weird triumph because when you don’t expect anything, everything is such a surprise.

From Los Angeles Times

But in many ways it encapsulates the Kremlin's current position on the war in Ukraine: "Yes, we want peace, but only on our terms. You reject our terms? No peace then."

From BBC

To some, the design of the pool encapsulated the designer's single-minded approach to life and business.

From BBC

Scrum-half Packer consistently delivered fast ball and energy, which her try encapsulated by seeing a gap and diving over.

From BBC

Seberg’s haircut in the original film, a super-short, blond pixie cut, rewrote fashion trends around the world and encapsulated a spirit of youthful, diffident insouciance.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sum up 
• summarize 

When To Use

What does encapsulate mean?

To encapsulate figuratively means to summarize or condense, as in Rhia encapsulated the three-hour lecture into a 20-minute video.When you encapsulate something, you can still see the clear vision of what is being summarized but in a shorter time or with less effort. Movie trailers should encapsulate the movie (without giving away the ending, thank you very much). And when you use multiple skills to create something, such as a product, you could that product encapsulates your talents.To encapsulate literally means to place in a capsule or as if in a capsule, such as a dose of medicine placed inside a gelatinous case.Example: This interview really encapsulates the feelings that most of our patients have toward the new treatment.