Phonology is the branch of linguistics that studies the sound systems of languages. It focuses on how sounds function and pattern within a particular language, including the rules that govern their combination and pronunciation. Phonology examines elements like phonemes, which are the smallest units of sound that can change meaning, and intonation, which affects the meaning of sentences. Phonology also explores how sounds interact with each other in speech. For example, it looks at processes like assimilation, where a sound changes to become more like a neighboring sound, and elision, where sounds are omitted for easier pronunciation. Understanding phonology helps linguists analyze and compare different languages.