What is an argument in the context of a Python function?

In the context of a Python function, an argument refers to a value passed into the function when it is called. This allows the function to receive input, which it can then use to perform operations or calculations. When you define a function, you specify parameters that act as placeholders for the arguments. For instance, if you have a function that calculates the square of a number, you would pass a specific number as an argument when calling that function. This flexibility enables functions to operate on different data inputs, making them more reusable and versatile in programming.

The other options focus on aspects that are part of a function’s workflow but do not accurately define what an argument is in this context. A condition that the function checks, the output produced by the function, and loops contained within the function are all relevant to the function's operations but do not define arguments themselves.