A socket is a way for computers to communicate over a network. Think of it as a door that allows data to enter and exit a computer. When two devices want to talk to each other, they create a socket connection, which helps them send and receive messages. This is essential for activities like browsing the internet or playing online games. In programming, sockets are used to build applications that require network communication. For example, a web browser uses sockets to connect to a web server, allowing you to view websites. This technology is crucial for many online services, including email and video streaming.