A spheroid is a three-dimensional shape that resembles a sphere but is slightly flattened or elongated. It can be classified into two main types: oblate spheroids, which are wider at the equator than at the poles, and prolate spheroids, which are elongated along one axis. Common examples of oblate spheroids include planets like Earth, while prolate spheroids can be seen in some sports balls, such as American football. Spheroids are important in various fields, including mathematics, physics, and astronomy. They help in understanding the shape of celestial bodies and are used in calculations involving gravitational fields. The concept of spheroids also plays a role in computer graphics and modeling, where realistic representations of objects are needed.