Logograms are symbols that represent words or phrases rather than individual sounds. They are used in various writing systems, such as Chinese characters, where each character corresponds to a specific meaning. This allows for efficient communication, as a single logogram can convey complex ideas without needing to spell out each sound. In contrast to alphabetic systems, where letters represent sounds, logograms can be more visually distinct and can often be understood across different languages. For example, the Egyptian hieroglyphs included logograms that represented both sounds and meanings, making them a unique form of written expression in ancient cultures.