What does HTML stand for in the context of web development?

HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language, which is the standard markup language used for creating and designing web pages and applications. It allows developers to structure content on the web by defining elements such as headings, paragraphs, links, images, and other multimedia. The term "HyperText" refers to the way in which web pages are linked together through hyperlinks, enabling users to navigate from one page to another seamlessly. "Markup Language" indicates that HTML consists of a set of markup symbols or codes that dictate how content is presented on the web. This foundational technology is essential for web development, as it forms the backbone of most websites and ensures that content is organized in a way that can be displayed in web browsers.