In programming, a class is like a blueprint for creating objects. It defines the properties and behaviors that the objects created from it will have. For example, if you have a class called Car, it might include properties like color and model, and behaviors like drive() and stop(). Each Car object can have different values for its properties, but they all share the same structure and functions. Classes help organize code and make it easier to manage. By using classes, programmers can create multiple objects that share common features without rewriting the same code. This leads to cleaner, more efficient programming and allows for easier updates and maintenance.