The keyword await is used in programming, particularly in languages like JavaScript, to pause the execution of a function until a promise is resolved. This allows developers to write asynchronous code that looks and behaves like synchronous code, making it easier to read and maintain. When you use await, the function will wait for the result of an operation, such as fetching data from a server, before moving on to the next line of code. Using await helps manage tasks that take time, like network requests, without blocking the entire program. This means that while one part of the code is waiting, other parts can continue to run smoothly, improving overall performance and user experience.