POW

What Does POW Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

POW means "Prisoner of War" and "Proof of Work."

Prisoner of War

POW is widely used as an abbreviation for the term "Prisoner of War." In this context, a POW is any person captured or interned by a belligerent power during war.

Proof of Work

In a cryptocurrency context, POW means "Proof of Work." It is a system by which cryptocurrency miners compete against each other to solve a complex problem. The first miners to solve the problem are rewarded with digital currency. POW forms the basis of many cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. However, POW requires huge amounts of energy, prompting calls for a move away from POW in favor of Proof of Stake (POS), which produces lower energy emissions.

Image for POW

When I write POW, I mean this:

"Prisoner of War"

Summary of Key Points for First Definition

"Prisoner of War" is, by far, the most common meaning for POW when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

POW
Definition:	Prisoner of War
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Summary of Key Points for Second Definition

"Proof of Work" is the most common definition for POW in a cryptocurrency context.

POW
Definition:	Proof of Work
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Specialists

Example of POW Used in a Text

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