encapsulate

verb

en·​cap·​su·​late in-ˈkap-sə-ˌlāt How to pronounce encapsulate (audio)
en-
encapsulated; encapsulating

transitive verb

1
: to enclose in or as if in a capsule
a pilot encapsulated in the cockpit
2
: epitomize, summarize
encapsulate an era in an aphorism
encapsulation noun

Did you know?

We’ll keep it brief by encapsulating the history of this word in just a few sentences. Encapsulate and its related noun, capsule, come to us from capsula, a diminutive form of the Latin noun capsa, meaning “box.” (Capsa also gave us the “container” or “box” meaning of the noun case.) The earliest examples of encapsulate are for its literal use (“to enclose something in a capsule”) and date to the late 19th century. Its extended meaning, “to give a summary or synopsis of something,” plays on the notion of a capsule being something compact, self-contained, and often easily digestible.

Examples of encapsulate in a Sentence

The contaminated material should be encapsulated and removed. can you encapsulate the president's speech in about a paragraph?
Recent Examples on the Web The fundamentals encapsulate the type of campaign, from radical to centrist, that the candidates run, the economic circumstances at election time, information on the dueling ground games, and how the contestants impress voters on charisma and credibility. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024 His goal and Donato’s first encapsulated the way the Hawks played the whole game. Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024 Those mistakes somewhat encapsulated Leipzig’s struggles this season in the Champions League. Manuel Veth, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 In a statement to the Washington Examiner, Kaptur appealed to the working-class, a bloc of voters Republicans hope to encapsulate with Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) on the ticket. Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for encapsulate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'encapsulate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of encapsulate was in 1872

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Dictionary Entries Near encapsulate

Cite this Entry

“Encapsulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encapsulate. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

encapsulate

verb
en·​cap·​su·​late in-ˈkap-sə-ˌlāt How to pronounce encapsulate (audio)
encapsulated; encapsulating
1
: to enclose in a capsule
2
: to tell or relate (as a report) in a few words
encapsulation noun

Medical Definition

encapsulate

verb
en·​cap·​su·​late in-ˈkap-sə-ˌlāt How to pronounce encapsulate (audio)
encapsulated; encapsulating

transitive verb

: to surround, encase, or protect in or as if in a capsule
DNA has been encapsulated in microspheresPaul Smaglik

intransitive verb

: to become encapsulated
a bacillus that encapsulates in the human body
encapsulation noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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