Definition
A state root is a cryptographic commitment in a blockchain’s execution layer that uniquely identifies the entire global state at a specific block height. It is typically encoded as the root hash of a Merkle tree (or similar authenticated data structure) containing all account or contract storage data. The state root is stored in the block header and enables succinct verification of state consistency across nodes.
In Simple Terms
A state root is a single cryptographic hash that represents everything stored in the blockchain’s current state at a given block. It compresses all account balances and contract data into one value saved in the block header, allowing different nodes to agree on the same state without sharing all underlying data.
Context and Usage
The term state root is primarily used in discussions of execution-layer design, state management, and light-client verification in blockchains. It appears in protocol specifications, client implementations, and research on state commitments and data structures such as Merkle trees. Engineers and researchers reference the state root when reasoning about block validity, state transitions, and cross-node consistency of the canonical state.