Deadlock is a situation in computing where two or more processes cannot proceed because each is waiting for the other to release resources. This can occur in operating systems when processes hold certain resources while waiting for others, leading to a standstill. For example, if Process A holds Resource 1 and is waiting for Resource 2, while Process B holds Resource 2 and is waiting for Resource 1, neither can continue. To resolve deadlock, various strategies can be employed, such as resource allocation algorithms or timeout mechanisms. These methods aim to detect and break the cycle of waiting, allowing processes to continue their execution. Understanding deadlock is crucial for system designers to ensure efficient resource management and maintain system performance.