A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a specialized electronic circuit designed to accelerate the creation and rendering of images, animations, and video. It performs rapid calculations to manage and manipulate graphics, making it essential for tasks like gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering. GPUs are commonly found in computers, gaming consoles, and mobile devices. They work alongside the central processing unit (CPU) to enhance overall performance, especially in applications that require heavy graphical processing. Modern GPUs can also be used for parallel processing tasks in fields like artificial intelligence and scientific simulations.