A testing framework is a set of guidelines or tools that help developers create and run tests for their software applications. It provides a structured way to write test cases, manage test execution, and report results. Common examples of testing frameworks include JUnit for Java applications and pytest for Python. These frameworks streamline the testing process by offering reusable components, such as assertions and test runners. They also support various testing types, including unit testing, integration testing, and functional testing, making it easier for developers to ensure their code works as intended before deployment.