A composite number is a positive integer that has more than two distinct positive divisors. This means that in addition to being divisible by 1 and itself, a composite number can be divided evenly by at least one other number. For example, the number 6 is composite because it can be divided by 1, 2, 3, and 6. In contrast, a prime number has exactly two distinct positive divisors: 1 and itself. The smallest composite number is 4, as it can be divided by 1, 2, and 4. Understanding composite numbers is essential in number theory and helps in various mathematical applications, including factorization and finding least common multiples.