Idiom idiom
Proof of Work
Meaning
A consensus method in which miners solve computational puzzles to validate transactions.
Examples
“Bitcoin uses Proof of Work.”
“Under Proof of Work, miners race to solve a puzzle, and the winner adds the next block.”
“Critics argue that Proof of Work wastes enormous amounts of electricity, since thousands of machines compete to solve the same puzzle and only one is rewarded.”
Origin
disputed origin
disputed origin
Named because the network requires demonstrable computational work.
Last updated July 19, 2026