In C#, what does the keyword 'static' signify?

The keyword 'static' in C# signifies that the variable or method belongs to the type itself rather than to any specific instance of that type. This means that all instances of the class share the same static variable or method, which is accessible even without creating an object of the class. For example, if you have a static variable, it is initialized once and exists as long as the application domain is alive; all instances of the class can refer to and use that same variable.

This is useful for defining constants or utility methods that are intended to be shared across instances, allowing for memory efficiency and simplifying access as you don't need to instantiate an object to use them. In contrast, instance variables would require creating an instance of the class for access, highlighting the distinction between static and non-static members.

Thus, the understanding of 'static' is fundamental in C# as it influences how memory is managed and how the code operates concerning class instances.