what does cast mean in an sql statement code example

Example 1: sql cast as

CAST('2006-04-25T15:50:59.997' AS date) AS Date,  

CAST('2006-04-25T15:50:59.997' AS time) AS Time,  

CAST('2006-04-25T15:50:59.997' AS datetime) AS Datetime,

Example 2: sql cast

-- Specifically for Oracle

-- EXAMPLE
CAST('732.98' AS INT)

/* SYNTAX
CAST(<value_to_cast> AS <data_type_to_cast_to>)
*/