Encoding is a process of converting data or information into a specific format, code or language to make it readable by machines. There are various synonyms for the word "encoding" that can be used interchangeably depending on the context and nature of the data. These synonyms include 'transcription', which refers to the process of converting spoken words into written format, 'compiling', which involves assembling code to create software applications for computers, 'encrypting', which refers to the process of converting data for security purposes, and 'coding', which is the process of assigning specific instructions to a machine-readable language. Other synonyms for encoding include 'conversion', 'translation', 'digitization', 'archiving' and 'serialization', among others.