数学上，在给定拓扑空间X上的一个层（sheaf）（或译束、捆）F对于X的每个开集给出一个集合或者一个更丰富的结构F(U)。这个结构F(U)和把开集限制（restricting）到更小的子集的操作兼容，并且可以把小的开集粘起来得到更大的。一个预层（presheaf）和一个层相似，但它可能不可以粘起来。事实上，层使得我们可以用一种细致的方式讨论什幺是局部性质，就像应用在函数上的层。

In mathematics, a sheaf is a tool for systematically tracking locally defined data attached to the open sets of a topological space. The data can be restricted to smaller open sets, and the data assigned to an open set is equivalent to all collections of compatible data assigned to collections of smaller open sets covering the original one. For example, such data can consist of the rings of continuous or smooth real-valued functions defined on each open set. Sheaves are by design quite general and abstract objects, and their correct definition is rather technical. They are variously defined, for example, as sheaves of sets or sheaves of rings, depending on the type of data assigned to open sets.