A procedure call is a programming concept where a program requests the execution of a specific block of code, known as a procedure or function. This allows developers to organize code into reusable segments, making it easier to read, maintain, and debug. When a procedure is called, the program temporarily pauses its current execution to run the specified code. During a procedure call, the program may pass arguments—values or variables that provide input to the procedure. After the procedure completes its task, it can return a value back to the calling code, allowing for further processing or output. This mechanism is fundamental in many programming languages, including Python, Java, and C++.