Simple Explanation

A tool that shrinks audio or video files for storage or transmission, then restores them for playback.

Concise Technical Definition

A software or hardware algorithm used to encode (compress) and decode (decompress) digital media files, reducing file size while attempting to preserve original quality.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like vacuum-packing clothes before a trip—making them smaller for the suitcase, then unpacking them to wear later.

Industry Usage Summary

Widely used in digital audio/video systems (e.g., MP3, AAC, FLAC for audio; H.264, HEVC for video), codecs enable efficient streaming, storage, and broadcasting. In professional workflows, codec choice balances file size, processing power, and fidelity.

Engineering Shortcut

Codec = COmpression/DECompression. Common types: lossy (MP3) or lossless (FLAC).

Full Technical Explanation

A codec (short for COder/DECoder or COmpression/DECompression) is a system that transforms raw media data into a more compact format for storage or transmission and then reconstructs it for use. Codecs may be lossy—removing some data for reduced size (e.g., MP3, AAC)—or lossless—preserving all original data (e.g., ALAC, FLAC). Audio/video streaming platforms rely on codecs to maintain quality while minimizing bandwidth, making them critical in digital media workflows.