A way of thinking about something by comparing it to something else.
It can be helpful, but can also be misleading and inaccurate.
Example: "the internet is like a lot of connected pipes" is an analogy.
This may be helpful at first, but does not explain wireless data, how data gets from a certain website to your computer, etc.
Example: "the heart is like a pump" can help us understand how blood moves, but a real heart is alive, adjusts to exercise, interacts with the lungs (for oxygen), is powered by the body and can change and heal itself!