The hypergeometric distribution is a discrete probability distribution that describes the likelihood of obtaining a specific number of successes in a sample drawn without replacement from a finite population. Unlike the binomial distribution, where the probability of success remains constant, the hypergeometric distribution accounts for the changing probabilities as items are drawn from the population. This distribution is particularly useful in scenarios such as card games or lottery systems, where the composition of the population affects the outcomes. Understanding the hypergeometric distribution is essential for data scientists and statisticians when analyzing sampling without replacement situations.