In the context of Boolean operators, what does "OR" signify?

The "OR" operator in Boolean logic is used to broaden a search by including results that contain any of the specified terms. This effectively enlarges the scope of search results by retrieving documents that may contain either of the terms involved. For example, if one searches for "cats OR dogs," the search will yield results that include documents about cats, dogs, or both. This is particularly useful in research and database searching to ensure comprehensive coverage of a topic, especially when different terms might be used interchangeably for related concepts.

In contrast, other options do not accurately depict the function of the "OR" operator. Excluding terms pertains more to the "NOT" operator, combining terms generally refers to the "AND" operator, and limiting searches to a specific term is indicative of a singular search without the flexibility that "OR" provides. Thus, recognizing the role of "OR" in expanding the reach of search results is crucial for effective information retrieval.