API endpoints are specific URLs representing the entry points for accessing an API's resources and functionality, defining the available operations, request formats, and response structures. They form the contract between the API provider and the consumer, enabling different software systems to communicate and exchange data seamlessly. The key characteristics of API endpoints include HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE), resource representation, parameters, response format, versioning, security measures like authentication and authorization, rate limiting, caching, monitoring, and analytics. As technology evolves, new trends in API design and development emerge, such as serverless APIs, asynchronous APIs, API-first development, AI/ML integration, and API composition, which promote reusability, modularity, faster development cycles, and the creation of ecosystem-driven applications.