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Polylactic acid (PLA), a highly promising biodegradablebiopolymer, has been extensively studied over the last two decades. Thethermoplastic polyester PLA is bio-based, compostable, and eco-friendly. Itsmonomer, lactic acid, is fermented from renewable plant sources like starch andsugar. Therefore, PLA is regarded as a desirable substitute for conventionalpetroleum-based polymers. Because of its biocompatible and biodegradableproperties, U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved PLA as a biomedicalmaterial. PLA has excellent mechanical, physical, structural, and thermalproperties, making it suitable for various applications. However, PLA haslimitations such as low impact toughness, hydrophobicity, and slow degradationrate at ambient temperatures. This can be improved by different modificationmethods, such as copolymerization, making composites or blends of PLA withother biodegradable polymers, or incorporating additives. This review presentsinformation about the various methods of synthesis of PLA, its properties, andthe environmental degradation of PLA. In addition, the different processingtechniques of PLA are also reviewed. Lastly, the applications of PLA in sectorssuch as packaging, biomedical, agricultural, automotive, and textile are alsodiscussed.