A logical volume is a storage unit in a computer system that allows for flexible management of disk space. It is part of a system called Logical Volume Management (LVM), which enables users to create, resize, and delete volumes without needing to reformat the entire disk. This flexibility helps optimize storage use and can improve performance. Logical volumes can span multiple physical disks, making it easier to manage large amounts of data. They can also be easily backed up or restored, providing a more efficient way to handle data compared to traditional partitioning methods.