1 encrypt | Definition of encrypt

encrypt

verb
en·​crypt | \ in-ˈkript How to pronounce encrypt (audio) , en-\
encrypted; encrypting; encrypts

Definition of encrypt

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Other Words from encrypt

encryption \ in-​ˈkrip-​shən How to pronounce encryption (audio) , en-​ \ noun

Examples of encrypt in a Sentence

The software will encrypt the message before it is sent.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a worst-case scenario, all your data could be encrypted by a hacker and you could be forced to pay a ransom to get it back. Los Angeles Times, "Column: CFPB, defying common sense, wants you to click on debt collectors’ links," 3 Sep. 2019 This exchange gives both your device and the tower the keys to unlock the data that is about to be encrypted. Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, "Hackers Could Decrypt Your GSM Phone Calls," 10 Aug. 2019 While some data were encrypted, Thompson was able to get names, phone numbers and addresses, as well as 120,000 Social security numbers and 77,000 bank account numbers. Stephen Gandel, CBS News, "What we know so far about accused Capital One hacker Paige Thompson," 31 July 2019 Several Florida cities in June paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to hackers who encrypted records, disabled their email systems and blocked their ability to pay employees and vendors via direct deposit. Washington Post, "Ransomware attack hits more than 20 Texas local governments," 20 Aug. 2019 And back in April 2016, 20 schools in the North East ISD were affected by a ransomware attack that encrypted 2.5 terabytes of data—which was eventually recovered from system backups. Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, "Ransomware strike takes down 23 Texas local government agencies," 19 Aug. 2019 Telegram supports private messaging, private group chats, and audio calls—all of which are reliably encrypted—for its hundreds of millions of members. Casey Newton, The Verge, "It’s time to end “trending” on Twitter," 13 Aug. 2019 Federal prosecutors alleged that Climo was connected to white supremacists through encrypted online conversations and wanted to attack Jews and patrons of an LGBTQ bar. Alex Johnson, NBC News, "Authorities investigate threats across the country after mass shootings," 11 Aug. 2019 Throughout 2019, in encrypted online messages with members of the neo-Nazi group the National Sociality Movement, Climo allegedly talked about attacking a Las Vegas synagogue and building explosive devices such as Molotov cocktails. Tara Law, Time, "FBI Arrests Las Vegas Man Allegedly Planning Attack on Synagogue, LGBTQ Community," 10 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'encrypt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of encrypt

1944, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for encrypt

en- entry 1 + -crypt (in cryptanalysis, cryptogram), perhaps after decrypt

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More Definitions for encrypt

encrypt

verb

English Language Learners Definition of encrypt

: to change (information) from one form to another especially to hide its meaning

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More from Merriam-Webster on encrypt

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with encrypt

Spanish Central: Translation of encrypt

Nglish: Translation of encrypt for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of encrypt for Arabic Speakers