cryptography
noun
cryp·tog·ra·phy
krip-ˈtä-grə-fē 
1
: secret writing
2
: the enciphering and deciphering of messages in secret code or cipher
also
: the computerized encoding and decoding of information
3
Did you know?
For a word having to do with secrets, cryptography has a surprisingly transparent origin. The word comes from Greek kryptós, meaning "hidden" or "secret," and graphein, meaning "to write." Besides the familiar related words of the same origin, such as cryptic, there is krypton, the name of a colorless gaseous element used especially in some fluorescent lamps and photography flashes. The name was chosen because the gas is rare and hard to find.
Examples of cryptography in a Sentence
Companies often use cryptography to protect private information.
Recent Examples on the Web
Organizations can address the quantum threats of today and tomorrow by transitioning to post-quantum cryptography that can withstand quantum attacks.
—
Anurag Lal, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The oldest and most popular cryptocurrency, bitcoin has gone from an experiment by libertarian cryptography enthusiasts to an asset worth $1.7 trillion in less than two decades.
—Alan Suderman, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
The trouble is that public cryptography is just ubiquitous.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
First, quantum technologies are critical to protecting encryption and public key cryptography—the mathematical algorithms that protect data transfer today.
—John Prisco, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cryptography
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Anurag Lal, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The oldest and most popular cryptocurrency, bitcoin has gone from an experiment by libertarian cryptography enthusiasts to an asset worth $1.7 trillion in less than two decades.
—Alan Suderman, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
The trouble is that public cryptography is just ubiquitous.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
First, quantum technologies are critical to protecting encryption and public key cryptography—the mathematical algorithms that protect data transfer today.
—John Prisco, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cryptography
Cite this Entry
“Cryptography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptography. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cryptography
noun
cryp·tog·ra·phy
krip-ˈtäg-rə-fē
: the coding and decoding of secret messages or digital information
cryptographer
noun
-fər
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