An Application Framework is a software framework that provides a foundation for developing applications. It includes pre-written code, libraries, and tools that help developers build software more efficiently. By offering reusable components and a structured way to organize code, it simplifies the development process and reduces the amount of repetitive work. Frameworks can be specific to certain programming languages or platforms, such as Java, Ruby on Rails, or Django for Python. They often include features like user interface design, database management, and security protocols, allowing developers to focus on the unique aspects of their applications rather than starting from scratch.