A CNAME record (Canonical Name record) is a type of DNS (Domain Name System) record that maps one domain name to another. This allows multiple domain names to point to the same IP address without needing to update each one individually. For example, if you have a website at example.com, you can create a CNAME record for www.example.com that directs visitors to the same site. CNAME records are useful for managing subdomains and ensuring that users reach the correct site regardless of the URL they enter. They help simplify domain management and improve user experience by allowing for consistent branding across different web addresses.