Big data is a term used to describe very large and complex sets of data that cannot be processed or analyzed using traditional data processing techniques. These sets of data often come from a variety of sources, such as commercial transactions, social media interactions, sensor and mobile device logs, and more.

Big data analysis has become increasingly important in a wide range of fields, such as data science, advertising, healthcare, and market research. Big data techniques are used to discover hidden patterns and trends in the data, which can be useful for making business decisions or investigating scientific problems.

Big data often involves the use of specialized software and infrastructure to store, process, and analyze the data at scale. It also requires specialized skills and knowledge, such as expertise in programming languages, statistical analysis, and data visualization.