What is the "Dow Jones"?

Whether you are watching TV, reading the headlines, or talking with friends, perhaps you have heard some reference to "the Dow Jones". At the core, this is a way to gauge and understand the USA's broader economy; however, there are several moving parts that go into it that should be understood. If you are looking to learn more about the stock market and how the economy in general works, this is one of the first pieces of the puzzle that needs to be understood.