Phonology is the study of how sounds function in a particular language. It looks at the rules and patterns that govern how sounds are organized and used in speech. For example, in English, the sounds /p/ and /b/ are distinct phonemes, meaning they can change the meaning of a word, like in "pat" and "bat." Phonology also examines how sounds interact with each other in different contexts. This includes processes like assimilation, where a sound changes to become more like a neighboring sound. Understanding phonology helps linguists and language learners grasp the complexities of spoken language and its structure.