This document provides an introduction to Oracle Database 18c's multitenant architecture. It explains that a multitenant database functions as a container database (CDB) that can include zero, one, or many pluggable databases (PDBs). Each PDB acts as an isolated database environment with its own schemas, objects, and users. The maximum number of PDBs allowed in a CDB depends on licensing but can be up to 4098 or 5254. Benefits of the multitenant architecture include reduced costs, easier data movement and management, isolation of PDBs, and easier performance tuning, patching and upgrades.