What are decorators in Python?

Decorators are functions that modify the behavior of other functions without changing their code. They use @decorator_name syntax above function definitions. Decorators take a function as input, add functionality, and return a modified function. Common uses: logging, timing, authentication, caching (@lru_cache). Example: @property converts method to attribute access. Decorators enable aspect-oriented programming. Multiple decorators can be stacked. They leverage Python's first-class functions (functions as objects). Built-in decorators include @staticmethod, @classmethod, @property.