A plosive is a type of consonant sound produced by obstructing airflow in the vocal tract, then releasing it suddenly. Common examples of plosive sounds include the letters p, b, t, d, k, and g. These sounds are characterized by a burst of air that occurs when the blockage is released, making them distinct and impactful in speech. Plosives are classified into two categories: voiced and voiceless. Voiced plosives, like b and d, involve vibration of the vocal cords, while voiceless plosives, such as p and t, do not. Understanding plosives is essential in linguistics and phonetics, as they play a crucial role in the pronunciation of many languages.