Phrase guide

proof of work

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A form of cryptographic proof in which a prover proves to verifiers that a certain amount of a specific computational effort has been expended.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: business, computing, cryptocurrencies, cryptocurrency, cryptography, engineering, finance, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: PoW

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see proof, of, work.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Coined in a 1999 paper.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 工作證明 /工作证明 (gōngzuò zhèngmíng) — form of zero-knowledge proof
  • Finnish: työtodistus — form of zero-knowledge proof
  • Portuguese: prova de trabalho — form of zero-knowledge proof