Definition
Block propagation is the process by which a newly created block is transmitted and announced across a blockchain network’s nodes. It covers the dissemination of the block’s header and contents from the originating node to other participants, influencing how quickly the network converges on a consistent view of the latest block and affecting overall latency and throughput characteristics.
In Simple Terms
Block propagation is how a new block travels from the node that created it to all the other nodes in a blockchain network. It is the spreading of the block’s data so that different parts of the network agree on the most recent block as quickly as possible.
Context and Usage
Block propagation is discussed in relation to network performance, consensus stability, and scalability of blockchain systems. It is a key factor when analyzing how fast blocks become visible to most nodes, how often temporary chain disagreements occur, and how network conditions impact effective block size, latency, and throughput. Researchers and protocol designers reference block propagation when evaluating or adjusting network parameters.