A framework is a reusable, standardized collection of code, libraries, and tools that serves as a foundation for developing software applications. It provides developers with a predefined structure and tools to simplify common tasks such as database access, user authentication, or user interface management. By using a framework, developers can speed up the development process and ensure their applications follow consistent, proven practices. Popular frameworks in web development include React, Angular, and Laravel. Frameworks are usually flexible and modular, allowing developers to implement their own requirements without having to code everything from scratch.