Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) is a programming technique that allows developers to interact with a relational database using an object-oriented paradigm. By mapping database tables to classes and rows to objects, ORM simplifies data manipulation and retrieval, making it easier to work with complex data structures in languages like Java and Python. ORM frameworks, such as Hibernate and Entity Framework, provide a layer of abstraction that reduces the need for repetitive SQL queries. This not only speeds up development but also enhances code maintainability, as changes to the database schema can be managed more easily through the object model.