Stress concentration refers to the occurrence of increased stress in a specific area of a material, often due to geometric discontinuities like holes, notches, or sharp corners. These features disrupt the uniform distribution of stress, leading to localized areas where the stress is significantly higher than the surrounding material. This phenomenon is crucial in engineering and materials science, as it can lead to failure or fatigue in structures. Understanding stress concentration helps engineers design safer and more reliable components by minimizing these high-stress areas, ensuring that materials can withstand applied loads without breaking.