A recycle bin is a designated area on a computer where deleted files are temporarily stored. When a user deletes a file, it doesn't disappear completely; instead, it moves to the recycle bin, allowing for easy recovery if needed. This feature helps prevent accidental loss of important documents and data. Users can access the recycle bin to view, restore, or permanently delete files. The recycle bin can be emptied to free up space on the computer, permanently removing the files it contains. This function is available on most operating systems, including Windows and macOS.