Multicast is a network communication method that efficiently sends information from one or more sources to multiple specific destination devices simultaneously. Unlike unicast and broadcast, multicast targets only devices interested in receiving the data, making it ideal for applications like streaming media and online gaming.

Multicast conserves bandwidth by replicating data only where network paths diverge. Protocols like IGMP for IPv4 and MLD for IPv6 manage group memberships, ensuring data is delivered only to devices in the multicast group, optimizing network resources and enhancing scalability.