Which term refers to a template that defines the common characteristics of a group of objects?

The term that refers to a template defining the common characteristics of a group of objects is a class. In object-oriented programming, a class serves as a blueprint for creating objects, encapsulating both data and behaviors that the objects created from the class will possess. This means that multiple objects can be instantiated from the same class, sharing common properties and methods, while still allowing for individual object differences through their own unique data.

For instance, if you have a class called "Car," it might define characteristics such as color, make, model, and methods like drive and stop. Each car object created from this class can have its own unique values for these characteristics while following the defined structure of the class. This brings a level of organization and reusability to the code, contributing to better design practices in software development.