An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of rules, protocols, and tools that allows different software applications or systems to communicate, interact, and exchange data with each other. APIs define the methods, data formats, and authentication mechanisms used for accessing and manipulating functionalities or services provided by a software application, platform, or operating system. APIs enable developers to integrate third-party services, extend the functionality of their applications, and build software components or libraries without needing to understand the underlying implementation details.