API stands for Application Programming Interface. It is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. An API defines the methods and data formats that applications can use to request and exchange information.

APIs enable developers to access the functionality of a particular software component or service without having to understand the internal workings of that component. They provide a standardized way for applications to interact and share data, making it easier to build software systems that integrate with each other.

An application programming interface is a way for two or more computer programs to communicate with each other. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other pieces of software. A document or standard that describes how to build or use such a connection or interface is called an API specification.