What is Dungeons and Dragons?

 Understanding the basics of the game:

Dungeons and Dragons more commonly known as D&D is a shared storytelling game. These games are called Role Playing Games or RPGs for short.

Created in 1974 by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, D&D refers to not only the tabletop role-playing game, but also the set of rules used to play it. Players choose their characters from various mystical species — but unlike choosing, say, the racecar in Monopoly or Professor Plum in Clue, characters in D&D are incredibly detailed and completely customizable. Everything from names and backstories to clothing and ethics is up for customization — all of these decisions are up to the player, which provides a great outlet for expression and creativity.

Once all of the characters are developed, the adventure (or “campaign”) can begin. Another player, known as the Dungeon Master (DM), acts as a guide to the other players, describing the world they inhabit as well as the experiences, battles, and creatures the characters will meet. Dice come into play at key moments in the game, providing elements of surprise and randomness for determining the outcomes of encounters.

More before information check out the official website for the basics of play:

https://dnd.wizards.com/basics-play