Random access refers to the ability to access data at any location in a storage medium without having to read through other data sequentially. This means that any piece of information can be retrieved quickly, making it efficient for tasks that require frequent data retrieval, such as in computer memory systems. In contrast to sequential access, where data must be read in order, random access allows for faster performance in applications like databases and file systems. Common examples of random access storage include hard drives, solid-state drives, and RAM, which enable quick data retrieval and manipulation.