A DNS server is a crucial part of the internet's infrastructure that translates human-friendly domain names, like www.example.com, into numerical IP addresses, such as 192.0.2.1. This process allows computers to locate and communicate with each other over the internet, making it easier for users to access websites without needing to remember complex numbers. When you enter a website address in your browser, your device sends a request to a DNS server to find the corresponding IP address. Once the server responds with the correct address, your browser can connect to the desired website, enabling you to view its content seamlessly.