JDBC, or Java Database Connectivity, is an API (Application Programming Interface) that allows Java applications to interact with various databases. It provides a standard set of interfaces and classes for connecting to databases, executing SQL queries, and retrieving results. This makes it easier for developers to work with different database systems without needing to learn their specific details. Using JDBC, developers can perform operations like creating, reading, updating, and deleting data in a database. It supports a wide range of databases, including MySQL, Oracle, and PostgreSQL, making it a versatile tool for building data-driven applications in the Java programming language.