In graph theory, a bridge is an edge whose removal would increase the number of connected components in the graph. In simpler terms, if you were to remove a bridge from a graph, it would disconnect the graph, splitting it into two or more separate parts.
Bridges are significant because they represent critical connections within a network. They often indicate links that are essential for maintaining the graph's connectivity. Identifying bridges is important in understanding the structure, resilience, and connectivity of networks, and it has various applications in algorithm design, network analysis, and optimization.