The role of a database management system (DBMS) is to facilitate the creation, management, and manipulation of databases. It provides users with tools to store, retrieve, and manage data efficiently, ensuring data integrity, security, and accessibility. A DBMS allows multiple users to access and manipulate data concurrently while maintaining reliability and consistency. Common functions include data modeling, query processing, and backup and recovery. Popular DBMS examples include MySQL, Oracle, and PostgreSQL, each catering to different data management needs.