Breakout rooms are smaller, separate virtual spaces within a larger online meeting platform, such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. They allow participants to engage in focused discussions or collaborative activities in smaller groups while the main session continues in the background. These rooms can be created and managed by the meeting host, who can assign participants to specific groups or allow them to choose their own. Breakout rooms are useful for workshops, brainstorming sessions, or any situation where more intimate conversations are beneficial, enhancing engagement and interaction among participants.