The term "content delivery network" (CDN) refers to a distributed network of servers that deliver web content to users based on their geographical location. CDNs work by caching content in multiple locations around the world, ensuring that users access data from the closest server. This improves website loading times, reduces latency, and enhances the overall user experience. CDNs are particularly effective for delivering large files, such as videos and images, and help manage traffic during peak times, providing scalability and reliability for web applications.