A logical operator is a symbol or word used to connect two or more expressions in a way that produces a true or false result. Common logical operators include AND, OR, and NOT. These operators are fundamental in fields like computer science, mathematics, and philosophy, as they help in forming logical statements and making decisions based on conditions. In programming, logical operators are often used in conditional statements to control the flow of execution. For example, in a programming language like Python, the expression `if (A AND B)` will only execute if both conditions A and B are true. This allows developers to create complex decision-making processes in their code.