The term "programming paradigm" refers to a fundamental style or approach to writing computer programs. It encompasses conceptual frameworks that dictate how developers structure and organize code. Common paradigms include procedural programming, which focuses on sequences of instructions; object-oriented programming, which uses objects to encapsulate data and behaviors; and functional programming, which treats computation as the evaluation of mathematical functions. Understanding different programming paradigms allows developers to choose the most effective strategies for solving specific problems or developing software.