Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a subfield of artificial intelligence that focuses on the interaction between computers and humans through natural language. It encompasses the development of algorithms and models that enable machines to understand, interpret, and generate human language in a meaningful way. NLP combines techniques from linguistics, computer science, and machine learning to process and analyze large amounts of textual data. Applications of NLP include sentiment analysis, language translation, chatbots, and information retrieval, making it a vital component in enhancing human-computer communication and automating language-related tasks.