Sharding
Plain English
Splitting a blockchain into multiple parallel chains (shards) that can process transactions simultaneously. Like having multiple checkout lanes at a store instead of one. Each shard handles part of the load, increasing overall capacity.
Technical
Horizontal partitioning technique dividing blockchain state and transaction processing across multiple parallel chains (shards). Each shard maintains a subset of accounts and processes transactions independently, with cross-shard communication for interactions. Sharding multiplies throughput but introduces complexity in maintaining consistency and security across shards.