Bonding orbitals are regions in an atom where electrons are likely to be found, formed when atomic orbitals from different atoms combine. This overlap of orbitals allows for the sharing of electrons, which helps to create a stable bond between atoms. The resulting bonding orbital has lower energy than the individual atomic orbitals, making the bonded state more stable. When two atoms form a bond, such as in a covalent bond, their atomic orbitals can combine to create a bonding orbital. This process is essential in the formation of molecules, as it allows atoms to achieve a more stable electron configuration, often resembling that of the nearest noble gas.