Definition

A device or software that changes data into a different format for transmission or storage and then back again.

Example

The video codec compressed the file size without losing quality.

Conversation

Have you heard about the new codec that just came out?

Yeah, I read it can compress video files really well.

I think it might be useful for my streaming setup.

Definitely! Better quality with less storage is always a win.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Codec → It is formed from "code" (from Latin *codex*, meaning a book or manuscript) and "-ec" (a suffix used in technology to denote a specific type or category). The word "codec" refers to a device or program that encodes or decodes a data stream or signal, essentially a tool for handling coded information.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'code' as a way to represent information, and the '-ec' helps you remember that a codec is a tool for encoding and decoding that information.

Visually Confused Words