The `await()` function is used in asynchronous programming to pause the execution of a function until a promise is resolved or rejected. This allows developers to write code that is easier to read and maintain, as it avoids the complexity of nested callbacks. When a function is marked with the `async` keyword, it can use `await()` to handle asynchronous operations seamlessly. When `await()` is called, it waits for the specified promise to complete. If the promise is fulfilled, it returns the result; if it is rejected, an error is thrown. This mechanism is commonly used in languages like JavaScript to manage tasks such as fetching data from APIs or reading files without blocking the main thread.