What is a relational database?

A relational database is defined as a database structured to recognize relations among stored items of information, which is typically organized into tables. This design allows for the collection, storage, and retrieval of data in a consistent manner, leveraging the relationships between different data entities. Tables are fundamental in a relational database; each table consists of rows and columns, where each row represents a record and each column represents a field of information.

This structure is extremely powerful because it enables users to easily query and manage data through the use of a standard query language such as SQL (Structured Query Language). The relational model supports various operations such as data insertion, updates, deletion, and complex queries to extract meaningful information from the database.

In contrast, the other choices describe different types of database functionalities or structures that do not emphasize the relational aspect, such as multimedia storage, spreadsheet formats, or document-centric databases. Hence, the unique attribute of recognizing and managing relationships between data items is the defining characteristic of a relational database, making the correct choice a clear fit for this definition.