Phonology is the branch of linguistics that deals with the study of sound systems in language. It focuses on how sounds are used and organized in particular languages, and how they contribute to meaning. Phonology is a key component of linguistics, as it helps us understand the structure of speech and how language functions at a fundamental level. The study of phonology is concerned not only with individual speech sounds, known as phonemes, but also with how these sounds interact with each other within the rules of a given language. Unlike phonetics, which focuses on the physical properties of speech sounds, phonology is primarily concerned with how these sounds function within a linguistic system.

Phonology is essential for understanding the patterns and regularities in how sounds are produced and interpreted by speakers of a language. It provides insight into the ways in which sound systems vary across languages and how they are structured in the mind. Phonological systems may include a variety of elements, such as consonants, vowels, syllables, stress patterns, and intonation, each of which plays a crucial role in forming the spoken word. Phonology helps to identify which sounds are significant in a language and how these sounds are perceived and organized.