Quick definition · 2 min Internet & web term

Cookie

A cookie is a small note a website saves in your browser to remember you between visits, like staying logged in.

Think of it like

A coat-check ticket. The site hands you a stub; next time you show it and it knows who you are.

Example

Stay logged in after closing the tab? A cookie stored your session. “Accept cookies” banners are about these notes.

Why it matters

Cookies power logins, carts, and (sometimes) tracking. Knowing what they are demystifies a lot of privacy talk.

Where you’ll see it
every site with a login“accept cookies” banners
Next step Where cookies live in a request: HTTP explained → How browsers and servers exchange them.
Related terms
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