The main purpose of a database management system (DBMS) is to provide a systematic way to store, retrieve, and manage data. A DBMS allows users to define, create, and maintain databases while ensuring data integrity, security, and consistency. It provides tools for data manipulation, such as querying and reporting, and facilitates the concurrent access of multiple users. Overall, a DBMS serves as an intermediary between users and the database, optimizing data handling in applications.