encryption

noun

en·​cryp·​tion in-ˈkrip-shən 

en-

plural encryptions

1

: the act or process of encrypting something : a conversion of something (such as data) into a code or cipher

The regulations … make it harder to provide automatic encryption of information as it passes through the dozens of links in a typical Internet connection …

—Paul Wallich

… a hacker slips into a system, then puts encryption controls in place that locks users out.

—Elizabeth Millard

2

: a code or cipher produced by encrypting something

Artificial intelligence can decode encryptions that previously could not be cracked.

—Ana Swanson

Examples of encryption in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers found that artificial intelligence was instrumental in developing algorithms that could reduce the size of quantum computers needed to break encryption by a factor of 100. —Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

This allows quantum computers to solve certain types of problems, such as factoring large numbers for today’s encryption schemes and performing combinatorial optimization to find the best route through a large number of points. —Gary Skuse, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2026

Surfshark protects browsing traffic with AES-256 encryption, the same military-grade standard used across government and enterprise security. —Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 25 Apr. 2026

Kyber developers are hoping the impression that the encryption has overwhelming strength will sway people to pay. —Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for encryption

• ascription
• conscription
• decryption
• description
• egyptian
• inscription
• prescription
• proscription
• subscription
• transcription
• circumscription
• misdescription