A cloud-native architecture is a design approach that leverages cloud computing to build and deploy applications in a scalable and resilient manner. It emphasizes using cloud services, microservices, and containers, which allows applications to evolve independently and improves efficiency. This architecture also supports agile development, enabling frequent updates and seamless scaling based on demand. By embracing practices like continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD), a cloud-native architecture enhances operational flexibility and fosters innovation in software development.