A column-oriented database stores data in columns rather than rows. This means that each column is stored separately, allowing for efficient data retrieval and analysis, especially for queries that involve aggregating large amounts of data. This structure is particularly beneficial for analytical workloads, where operations often focus on specific attributes. In contrast to row-oriented databases, which store entire records together, column-oriented databases can significantly reduce the amount of data read from disk. This makes them ideal for applications like data warehousing and business intelligence, where quick access to specific data points is crucial for generating insights.