: one that decodes
especially : an electronic device that converts signals from one form to another (as for unscrambling a television transmission)

Examples of decoder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K also adds a dedicated AV1 decoder, which allows for higher-quality streaming from apps that support it, such as Netflix, which is excellent. — John Higgins, The Verge, 14 Oct. 2026 The company reported that some decoders built using the approach continued working for weeks rather than days. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026 Like previous versions, IBM is taking a decoder-only approach here. — Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026 What’s even more interesting is the absence of the long-running V-Star 250 in the VIN decoder, suggesting the XSR155 may be replacing it as Yamaha’s entry-level road bike in the US. — New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decoder

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of decoder was in 1920

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decoder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decoder. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster