QEMU (Quick Emulator) is a free and open-source emulator and virtualization software that allows users to run operating systems and applications designed for one machine on a different machine. It emulates the CPU, memory, storage devices, and other hardware components of the guest operating system, allowing it to run on the host system as if it were a native application. QEMU supports a wide range of platforms and architectures, including x86, ARM, PowerPC, MIPS, and more. It can be used for a variety of tasks, including testing new operating systems, running legacy software, and developing and debugging embedded systems.