Satem languages are a branch of the Indo-European language family, primarily spoken in parts of Eastern Europe and Asia. They are characterized by the pronunciation of the Proto-Indo-European palatalized velar consonants as sibilants, which distinguishes them from Centum languages. Examples of Satem languages include Slavic, Baltic, and Indo-Iranian languages. The term "Satem" comes from the Avestan word for "hundred," reflecting the way these languages evolved. In contrast, Centum languages, like Latin and Germanic languages, retained the original velar sounds. This classification helps linguists understand the historical development and relationships among different languages.