Kubernetes, often abbreviated as K8s, is an open-source platform designed to automate the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. Originally developed by Google, it is now maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation. Kubernetes has become the de facto standard for container orchestration due to its robust features and extensive community support. It allows developers to manage microservices and applications across a distributed cluster of nodes efficiently. By utilizing containers, Kubernetes enhances resource efficiency, accelerates application deployment, and ensures consistency across various environments, making it a vital tool in modern software development and operations.