Phonology is the study of the sounds used in speech within a particular language or languages. It is a subfield of linguistics, which focuses on the way sounds function and pattern in languages. Phonologists analyze the way sounds are organized and used in natural languages, including the study of phonemes (distinctive sound units in a language), phonetic features, and the rules governing the pronunciation of words and phrases. Phonology helps linguists understand how sounds convey meaning and how they vary across different languages and dialects.