blockchain

American

[blok-cheyn] / ˈblɒkˌtʃeɪn /

noun

Computers.

a structure used for a distributed or shared database consisting of discrete blocks of data, with each new block secured and connected to earlier ones by cryptography: used to create digital ledgers for cryptocurrency systems, among other things.

Several schools now offer courses in the technology behind blockchain.
Under the scheme, farmers would add information about their produce to a blockchain database that could quickly pinpoint contamination.
a distributed or shared database created and populated using a structure consisting of discrete blocks of data, with each new block secured and connected to earlier ones by cryptography.

Once the transaction gets verified, it's recorded in the blockchain.

Etymology

Origin of blockchain

First recorded in 2010–15; block ( def. ) + chain ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some have made big money mimicking the trades of potential insiders with specialized software that can instantly copy the moves of any trader on Polymarket, which posts all of its transactions to the blockchain.

From Barron's

A steep decline in Bitcoin’s price drove the disappointing results since miners are rewarded with coins for verifying blockchain transactions.

From Barron's

Some platforms use U.S. dollars, while others rely on blockchain infrastructure and stablecoins—enabling trade that is fast, global and pseudonymous.

From The Wall Street Journal

These tokens mirror real-world securities and trade over blockchain rails rather than traditional exchanges.

From Barron's

To make its business less reliant on interest income, the company launched a payments network and its own blockchain, called Arc.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023