What is a punchline?

A punchline is the humorous or clever ending to a joke or story that is intended to generate laughter or amusement. It is typically a surprise twist or play on words that provides a comic payoff to the setup of the joke. Punchlines are an important element of stand-up comedy, as well as in written humor such as jokes, one-liners, and cartoons. A well-crafted punchline can make a joke memorable and enjoyable for the audience.