A 32-bit unsigned integer is a type of data representation used in computing that can store whole numbers. The term "32-bit" indicates that it uses 32 bits (or binary digits) to represent the number, allowing for a range of values from 0 to 4,294,967,295. Since it is "unsigned," it cannot represent negative numbers, making it suitable for counting and indexing. In programming, unsigned integers are often used in scenarios where only non-negative values are needed, such as in array indexing or when dealing with quantities. This data type is efficient for memory usage and helps prevent errors related to negative values in calculations.