Lambda functions in Python are small, anonymous functions defined using the lambda keyword. Unlike regular functions, they do not have a name and are typically used for short, one-time operations. A lambda function can take multiple arguments but can only contain a single expression. The syntax is straightforward: lambda arguments: expression ⁴⁵.

These functions are particularly useful in scenarios where you need a simple function for a short duration, such as when using built-in functions like map(), filter(), and sorted(). For example, you can use a lambda function to square numbers in a list or to filter out even numbers from a collection ⁴⁵.

One of the key advantages of lambda functions is their ability to simplify code, making it more concise and readable. They allow you to define functions inline without the need for a full function definition, which can be beneficial in maintaining clean and efficient code ²⁵.