The GNU Project is a free software initiative launched by Richard Stallman in 1983. It has come to represent an important and ongoing effort to provide users with open-source alternatives to proprietary software. Synonyms for the GNU Project include the Free Software Foundation, which provides guidance and resources for the project, and GNU/Linux, which is the operating system created by the project. Other synonymic terms include the GPL, which is the GNU General Public License that governs the distribution of GPL-licensed software, and GNU tools, which are the essential software development tools and utilities provided by the project. Overall, the GNU Project is an important effort in the promotion of open-source software and reflects a commitment to freedom, collaboration, and user empowerment.