What does the term 'object' signify in object-oriented programming?

In object-oriented programming, the term 'object' signifies a unit that encapsulates both data and behavior. This encapsulation is fundamental to object-oriented design, as it allows developers to create self-contained structures that represent real-world entities or concepts. Each object has attributes (data) that describe its properties and methods (behavior) that define what actions can be performed on the object or what it can perform.

For example, if you consider an object representing a car, the data might include properties such as color, make, and model, while the behavior could include methods such as start, stop, and accelerate. This combination of data and behavior promotes modularity and reusability in programming, making it easier to manage complex systems by breaking them down into simple, interacting components.

Understanding this concept is crucial for applying object-oriented principles effectively in software development.