A kernel dump is a snapshot of a computer's memory at a specific moment, typically taken when the operating system encounters a serious error, known as a crash. This dump captures the state of the system, including running processes and memory contents, which can help developers and system administrators diagnose the cause of the failure. Kernel dumps are often analyzed using debugging tools to identify issues within the operating system or hardware. They can provide insights into problems related to drivers, software conflicts, or memory leaks, ultimately aiding in improving system stability and performance.