Minkowski space is a mathematical framework used in physics to describe the four-dimensional continuum of space and time. It combines three dimensions of space with one dimension of time into a single entity, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of how objects move and interact in the universe. This concept is essential in the theory of special relativity, formulated by Albert Einstein. In Minkowski space, the geometry is non-Euclidean, meaning that the rules of traditional geometry do not fully apply. Distances and intervals are measured using a metric that accounts for both spatial and temporal dimensions, leading to the idea that time can be treated similarly to space. This framework helps explain phenomena such as time dilation and the relativity of simultaneity.