A namedtuple is a subclass of Python's built-in tuple data type, which allows you to create tuple-like objects with named fields. This means you can access the elements of a namedtuple using names instead of numeric indices, making your code more readable and self-documenting. Namedtuples are defined using the `collections` module, and they provide a lightweight way to create simple classes without the overhead of defining a full class. Namedtuples are immutable, meaning their values cannot be changed after creation, similar to regular tuples. They are useful for representing simple data structures, such as records or points in a coordinate system, while maintaining the benefits of tuple packing and unpacking. Namedtuples can also be easily converted to dictionaries, enhancing their usability in various applications.