A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a specialized electronic circuit designed to accelerate the creation and rendering of images, animations, and video. Unlike a central processing unit (CPU), which handles general tasks, a GPU is optimized for parallel processing, making it ideal for tasks that require handling multiple operations simultaneously, such as video games and graphic design. GPUs are essential for modern computing, especially in fields like machine learning, video editing, and 3D rendering. They can significantly enhance performance by offloading complex calculations from the CPU, allowing for smoother graphics and faster processing times in various applications.