Touch events are interactions that occur when a user touches a screen or surface, commonly found in devices like smartphones and tablets. These events can include actions such as tapping, swiping, or pinching, allowing users to navigate applications and control features through direct contact. In web development, touch events are part of the DOM (Document Object Model) and include specific types like touchstart, touchmove, and touchend. These events help developers create responsive and interactive experiences, enabling applications to respond to user gestures in a seamless manner.