Linearizability is a consistency model used in distributed systems to ensure that operations appear to occur in a single, sequential order. This means that even if operations are executed concurrently, they can be viewed as if they happened one after the other, maintaining a clear timeline. This helps in simplifying reasoning about the system's behavior and ensures that all users see the same state of the system. In a linearizable system, each operation has a specific point in time when it is considered complete. This point is known as the "linearization point." By adhering to this model, systems like databases and distributed computing frameworks can provide reliable and predictable results, making it easier for developers to build applications that depend on consistent data.