Cytokinins (CKs) are essential phytohormones regulating plant growth, development, and adaptive responses to environmental stress. Over the past two decades, substantial progress has been made in understanding cytokinin perception, signal transduction, receptor-mediated control of plant morphology, and their interactions with other hormonal and stress‐response pathways. This review synthesizes findings from foundational and contemporary studies to provide a comprehensive overview of cytokinin signaling, including histidine kinase receptors, multi-step phosphorelay pathways, cytokinin response factors (CRFs), and downstream transcriptional networks. The roles of cytokinin signaling in shoot and root growth, leaf senescence, seed germination, organogenesis, and metabolism are explored with reference to key genetic studies in Arabidopsis and maize. Moreover, the review examines the molecular mechanisms of cytokinin-mediated abiotic and biotic stress responses, with particular emphasis on receptor AHK1/ATHK1 function in drought and salinity signaling, and hormone cross-talk during stress adaptation. Current research trends highlight the importance of integrating cytokinin networks with abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, and other hormonal pathways to fine-tune plant physiological responses. The review concludes by discussing gaps in current knowledge, potential applications in crop improvement, and future research directions aimed at manipulating cytokinin signaling for enhanced plant productivity and resilience.