Lisp is a family of programming languages known for their unique parenthetical syntax and powerful features. Developed in the late 1950s by John McCarthy, it is one of the oldest high-level programming languages still in use today. Lisp is particularly well-suited for tasks involving symbolic computation, artificial intelligence, and rapid prototyping due to its flexibility and dynamic nature. One of the defining characteristics of Lisp is its use of lists as the primary data structure, allowing for easy manipulation of code and data. The language supports a variety of programming paradigms, including functional and procedural programming, making it versatile for different applications.