Microframeworks are lightweight web application frameworks that provide the essential tools needed to build web applications without the overhead of larger frameworks. They typically focus on simplicity and flexibility, allowing developers to choose the components they want to use, such as routing and templating. This makes them ideal for small projects or applications that require quick development. Examples of popular microframeworks include Flask for Python and Express for Node.js. These frameworks enable developers to create web applications with minimal setup and configuration, making them accessible for beginners while still being powerful enough for experienced developers to build robust applications.