Metadata is data information that provides information about other data. It is used to describe and provide context for the content, structure, and characteristics of the data it is associated with. This additional information helps users understand and interpret the data, enabling efficient organization, searchability, and retrieval of data. Metadata can include details such as the creation date, author, file format, location, and permissions of the data. It plays a crucial role in data management, data integration, and data governance.