In Italian, definite articles are words that take the meaning "THE", when paired with a noun. Articles don't really have a meaning on their own; they must always accompany an appropriate noun.
Definite articles must agree with nouns in number and gender, and they always come before the noun.
Examples:

• Le chiavi sono nel cassetto.                          >>  The keys are in the drawer
• Il professore di matematica è molto serio.   >> The professor of mathematics is very serious.

​In the above examples,  the articles le and il refer to a definite object (keys) and a definite person (math professor). Because definite articles must agree with nouns in number and gender, they have masculine, feminine, singular, and plural forms.

DEFINITE ARTICLES ARE USED...

1. To indicate something unique and definite: la casa di Vittorio è verde.   >>  Victor's house is green  (lit. The house of Victor is green.)
2. In front of professions that are followed by a name: l’architetto Rossi è molto bravo.   >>  Architect Rossi is very good.
3. When describing physical attributes and clothes: ha le mani fredde, per questo usa i guanti.  >>  She has cold hands, so she uses gloves.
4. With most possessive pronouns and adjectives: il mio cane  >>  my dog
5. With family surnames: i signori Rossi sono già arrivati.   >>  The Rossi's have already arrived. 
6. With dates, when they are not preceded by the day of the week: il 25 dicembre è Natale.  >>  The 25th of December is Christmas.
7. With abstract nouns: la pazienza è la virtù dei forti.  >>  Patience is the virtue of the strong.
8. When describing colors: I tuoi occhi sono come l’azzurro del cielo.   >>  Your eyes are like the blue of the sky.
9. When speaking about cities of a certain time period: La Roma di antichità  >>  The Rome of antiquity

​

DEFINITE ARTICLES ARE NOT USED...

1. With possessive pronouns and adjectives preceding a singular family member: mio padre ha 50 anni.   >>  My father is 50 years old.
2. When speaking of cities in general: Torino, Roma e Milano sono le città più grandi d’Italia.  >> Turin, Rome, and Milan are the biggest cities in Italy
3. In front of people's names: Ho visto Roberto e Francesca al parco.  >>  I saw Robert and Francesca at the park.

Pratica!
Review Gender of Nouns and Plural Nouns, if necessary.

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