Docker is an open-source project that allows developers to package applications into lightweight, portable containers that can run on any Linux server. Containers isolate applications from one another and the underlying infrastructure, while still sharing operating system resources to improve efficiency. Docker eliminates inconsistencies between development and production environments by allowing applications to run identically in any computing environment, from a developer's laptop to the cloud. This portability and consistency accelerates the development lifecycle and improves deployment workflows for both developers and operations teams.