Keyboard events are actions that occur when a user interacts with a keyboard. These events can include pressing a key down, releasing a key, or holding a key down for a period of time. In programming, keyboard events are often used to trigger specific functions or responses in applications, enhancing user interaction. In web development, keyboard events are typically handled using JavaScript. Developers can listen for events like keydown, keyup, and keypress to execute code when users type. This allows for features such as shortcuts, form validation, and dynamic content updates based on user input.