PCB stands for Printed Circuit Board. It's a fundamental component in many electronic devices, serving as a platform for connecting and supporting electronic components. Essentially, it's a board made of non-conductive material (like fiberglass) with pathways etched or printed onto it that conduct electricity, providing connections between different components.

These boards are crucial in electronics manufacturing as they provide a compact, organized way to assemble various electrical parts. The components, like resistors, capacitors, integrated circuits, and connectors, are soldered onto the PCB, and the traces on the board allow electrical signals to flow between them.

PCBs come in different types, like single-layer, double-layer (having copper traces on both sides), and multi-layer (which have multiple layers of copper traces separated by insulating materials). They're designed according to the specific needs of the electronic device they'll be used in.

Overall, PCBs are foundational to modern electronics, enabling the creation of smaller, more efficient, and more complex electronic devices.