decoding

American

[dee-koh-ding] / diˈkoʊ dɪŋ /

noun

the act, process, or result of extracting meaning or usable information, as from a code, written or spoken symbols, or an electronic signal.

The device that performs the decoding is called a digital to analog converter.
Recent decodings of the hieroglyphs at Palenque refer to dates beyond the end of the Mayan calendar.

adjective

relating to the process of extracting meaning or usable information, as from a code or an electronic signal.

The decoding algorithm will have to discern a valid signal from the noise.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

decodings

plural

Etymology

Origin of decoding

First recorded in 1895–1900; decod(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun; decod(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

decoding decodings

The technology is transforming the work of historians not only by decoding documents, but also by analysing millions of medieval manuscripts or helping read ancient scrolls.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

If decoding the Leipzig affair and its actual or possible ramifications seems to require an advanced degree in international semiotics, the reported facts are straightforward enough.

From Salon ● Sep. 7, 2026

Autistic people of all genders often struggle with nuances of social communication like decoding nonverbal cues, identifying shifts in tone or asking reciprocal questions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

The second hurdle to overcome is the “software challenge” of decoding the brain’s signals and converting them to computer code.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 6, 2026

Peris hadn’t given an address, but Tally knew the trick for decoding the random-looking numbers at the bottom of a ping.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

The documents, known as the "Magic intercepts," are decodings of the secret messages of 33 other nations, including France, Denmark, Mexico and the Netherlands.

From Time Magazine Archive

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023