encrypt

American  

[en-kript] / ɛnˈkrɪpt /

verb (used with object)

1. to convert (a message or the like) into cipher or code.

   The letter was encrypted before being mailed to protect it from any prying eyes.

2. Computers. to change (digital data) into a form that cannot be read without converting it back using a unique key.

   The protocol encrypts all of your personal information, including credit card number, name, and address, so that it cannot be stolen.

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encrypt British  

/ ɪnˈkrɪpt /

verb

1. to put (a message) into code

2. to put (computer data) into a coded form

3. to distort (a television or other signal) so that it cannot be understood without the appropriate decryption equipment

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encrypt Scientific  

/ ĕn-krĭpt /

1. To alter information using a code or mathematical algorithm so as to be unintelligible to unauthorized readers.

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Other Word Forms

• encryptation noun
• encrypted adjective
• encryption noun

Etymology

Origin of encrypt

First recorded in 1940–45; en- ¹ + -crypt (abstracted from cryptic ( def. ), cryptography ( def. ), etc.), modeled on encode ( def. )

Example Sentences

This is the reason governments are interested in quantum computing; they are nervous about people being able to break encrypted codes.

From Barron's

He used encrypted computer servers and fishing-related code names to communicate with those running his offshore empire, the government alleged.

From The Wall Street Journal

Every encrypted communication, every financial transaction, every military secret becomes readable.

From MarketWatch

Apple’s strong preference is for all machine learning to happen on encrypted Apple devices, leveraging special units in Apple’s chips.

From Barron's

An outcry by owners on Amazon’s internal forums, partly organized in encrypted Signal chats, led to Amazon reversing the fees.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• encipher