blockchain

noun

block·​chain ˈbläk-ˌchān 

: a digital database containing information (such as records of financial transactions) that can be simultaneously used and shared within a large decentralized, publicly accessible network

also : the technology used to create such a database

The technology at the heart of bitcoin and other virtual currencies, blockchain is an open, distributed ledger that can record transactions between two parties efficiently and in a verifiable and permanent way.

—Marco Iansiti and Karim R. Lakhani

Examples of blockchain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In response to the rapidly growing stablecoin industry, payments standard bearer Swift is creating its own blockchain to facilitate transactions between global banks, the Financial Times reported. —Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025

Additionally, The Information said Tuesday that the Securities and Exchange Commission is developing a plan to regulate stock trading on blockchains—a regulatory shift that could benefit Coinbase. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025

Aman holds expertise in politics, travel, and tech news, especially in AI, advanced algorithms, and blockchain, with a strong curiosity about all things that fall under science and tech. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025

HRtech for global hiring, blockchain traceability, and fintech services such as payments and crowdfunding. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

2011, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for blockchain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• butane
• campaign
• cetane