A network request is a message sent from one computer or device to another over the internet. This request is typically made when a user wants to access information, such as a webpage or an image. The request travels through various servers and networks to reach its destination, where the requested data is stored. When the destination server receives the network request, it processes the request and sends back a response. This response contains the requested data or an error message if something went wrong. Common protocols used for network requests include HTTP and HTTPS, which are essential for web browsing.