encryption

American  

[en-krip-shuhn] / ɛnˈkrɪp ʃən /

noun

1. the act or practice of converting messages into cipher or code.

   During World War II, the encryption process involved code tables and a machine.

2. Computers. the act or practice of changing digital data into a form that cannot be read without converting it back using a unique key.

   Though its data encryption is strong, the app has other security flaws exploited by hackers.

---

encryption Cultural  

1. The process of encoding a message so that it can be read only by the sender and the intended recipient. Encryption systems often use two keys, a public key, available to anyone, and a private key that allows only the recipient to decode the message. (See also cryptography.)

---

Etymology

Origin of encryption

First recorded in 1940–45; 1960–65 encryption for def. 2; encrypt ( def. ) + -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

It plans to roll out post-quantum encryption this year to protect against future threats from quantum computing.

From Salon

Just look at the adoption of post-quantum cryptography, new methods of encryption designed to shield data secure from attacks by quantum computers.

From Barron's

When quantum computing matures, all encryption is at risk.

From MarketWatch

It is useful for certain difficult mathematical problems and encryption.

From Barron's

It wins the ability to break every encryption system.

From MarketWatch