Cordova is an open-source mobile development framework that allows developers to build cross-platform mobile applications using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It provides a way to create mobile apps that can run on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and Windows Phone, using a single codebase. Cordova also provides access to native device features through plugins, allowing developers to incorporate features such as camera access, geolocation, and push notifications into their apps. Overall, Cordova simplifies the process of developing mobile applications for multiple platforms, making it a popular choice for many developers.