An "A record," or Address Record, is a type of DNS (Domain Name System) record that links a domain name to its corresponding IPv4 address. This allows users to access websites using easy-to-remember domain names, like example.com, instead of complex numerical addresses. When you type a domain into your browser, the DNS translates it into the appropriate IP address using the A record. A records are essential for the functioning of the internet, as they help direct traffic to the correct server. Each A record can point to a single IP address, and multiple A records can exist for a single domain, allowing for load balancing and redundancy.