ODBC, or Open Database Connectivity, is a standard API (Application Programming Interface) that allows applications to access data from various database management systems (DBMS). It provides a uniform way for software to communicate with different databases, enabling developers to write code that can work with multiple data sources without needing to know the specifics of each one. By using ODBC, applications can connect to databases like MySQL, Oracle, or Microsoft SQL Server through a common interface. This flexibility simplifies the process of data integration and management, making it easier for businesses to utilize diverse data sources in their applications.