A sheaf is a collection of objects that are grouped together in a specific way, often used in mathematics and related fields. In algebraic geometry, for example, a sheaf associates data, like functions or sections, to open sets of a topological space, allowing for the study of local properties of geometric objects. In a more general sense, sheaves can also refer to bundles of items, such as a sheaf of wheat, which is a bundle of stalks tied together after harvesting. This term highlights the idea of gathering similar items into a single unit for easier handling or analysis.