A tuple is a data structure in programming that allows you to store a collection of items. Unlike lists, tuples are immutable, meaning once they are created, their contents cannot be changed. This makes them useful for storing fixed sets of data, such as coordinates or RGB color values. Tuples are often represented with parentheses, like this: 1, 2, 3. In many programming languages, such as Python and Java, tuples can hold different types of data, including numbers, strings, and even other tuples. They are commonly used for returning multiple values from functions or for grouping related data together, providing a simple way to manage and access information.