Maximal matching is a concept in graph theory that refers to a set of edges in a graph where no two edges share a common vertex, and it cannot be extended by adding any more edges. This means that every edge in the matching is independent, and the matching is as large as possible given the current edges. In practical applications, maximal matching can be used in various fields such as computer science, network theory, and operations research. It helps in solving problems like job assignments and resource allocation, where the goal is to pair items or individuals without overlap.