Diffraction is the bending of waves around obstacles or through openings. This phenomenon occurs with all types of waves, including light, sound, and water waves. When waves encounter an edge or a slit, they spread out instead of traveling in straight lines, creating patterns of interference. In everyday life, diffraction can be observed when light passes through a narrow slit, producing a series of bright and dark bands. Similarly, when sound waves pass around a corner, they can be heard even if the source is not directly visible. This behavior helps us understand wave properties and their interactions with the environment.