ARP is a protocol for resolution of network layer addresses such as IP into link layer addresses (such as MAC addresses). "arp" is also a command in Linux and Windows to manipulate the ARP cache.

Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is a telecommunications protocol used for resolution of network layer addresses into link layer addresses, a critical function in multiple-access networks. ARP was defined by RFC826 in 1982.
It is also the name of the program for manipulating these addresses in most operating systems.