A GestureEvent is a type of event in programming that detects and responds to user gestures, such as swipes, pinches, or taps on touch-enabled devices. These events are essential for creating interactive applications, allowing developers to enhance user experience by recognizing natural movements. In web development, GestureEvent is part of the Pointer Events API, which provides a unified way to handle input from various devices, including touchscreens and styluses. By using GestureEvent, developers can implement features like zooming in on images or navigating through content with simple finger movements.