A time zone offset refers to the difference in hours and minutes between a specific time zone and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). For example, if a location is in the UTC+2 time zone, it is two hours ahead of UTC. This offset helps standardize time across different regions, making it easier to coordinate activities and schedules globally. Time zone offsets can change due to factors like daylight saving time, where clocks are adjusted forward or backward by one hour. Each region may have its own rules regarding these changes, affecting how local time relates to UTC throughout the year.