Which of the following statements best describes the term "foreign key"?

The term "foreign key" specifically refers to an attribute or a set of attributes in a table that creates a link between two tables. This linking is accomplished by referencing the primary key of another table, establishing a relationship between the two. This relationship is crucial for maintaining referential integrity within a relational database, ensuring that the data in one table corresponds correctly to data in another table. By using a foreign key, databases can enforce rules such as ensuring that only valid references between tables are allowed, which helps maintain consistency and accuracy in data.

The other definitions do not accurately capture the concept of a foreign key. A primary key serves a different role by uniquely identifying records within its own table, while temporary identifiers are not a function of foreign keys at all. Thus, the correct understanding of a foreign key emphasizes its role as a bridge between two tables through the linking of primary keys, making option C the best description.