Maven is a build automation tool used primarily for Java projects, but also supports other languages. It simplifies the build process by managing project dependencies, compiling source code, packaging the compiled code into executable formats, and deploying the packaged code to various repositories. Maven uses a project object model (POM) file to define project settings and configurations. It is widely used in the software development industry to streamline and automate the build process, making it easier for developers to manage and maintain their projects.