Decentralized systems refer to networks or systems where decision-making authority and control are distributed among multiple nodes or participants, rather than being concentrated in a central entity. In a decentralized system, each node typically has its own copy of the system's data and can independently verify transactions or operations without relying on a central authority. This design allows for increased resilience, censorship resistance, and transparency, as well as potentially reducing the need for trust in centralized institutions. Decentralized systems are commonly used in blockchain technology, peer-to-peer networks, and distributed computing platforms.