Nostr vocabulary can be alienating. This glossary keeps definitions short and practical so readers can move through the archive without getting stuck.
Core terms
The terms below are written for readers, creators, operators and investors. Developers should still verify exact protocol behavior in the NIP repository.
NostrOpen protocol for signed events distributed by relays.
npubPublic display format for a Nostr public key.
nsecPrivate-key display format. Keep it secret.
RelayServer that accepts, stores, filters or forwards events.
ClientUser-facing app that reads and writes Nostr events.
EventSigned data object with id, pubkey, kind, tags, content and signature.
NIPNostr Implementation Possibility, a shared interoperability document.
ZapLightning payment represented socially through Nostr zap events.
SignerTool that signs events without exposing the private key to every app.
NIP-05DNS-based mapping from a name to a public key.
NIP-46Remote signing and Nostr Connect.
NIP-57Lightning zaps.
BadgeStatus, recognition or membership object defined and awarded by issuers.
Web of trustReputation and trust inferred through social relationships and behavior.
Crays Super NodeCrays venue hardware and service layer for local relay, mesh and hospitality context.