What does the font-family property specify in CSS?

The font-family property in CSS is designed to specify the type and style of the text displayed on a web page. It allows developers to define the font type that should be used for the text content, which can include specific typefaces (like Arial, Times New Roman, or custom fonts) as well as fallback fonts in case the primary font is unavailable.

By using this property, you can create a distinct look and feel for your text, enhancing readability and contributing to the overall design aesthetic of a website. The choice of font can significantly impact how the content is perceived by users, as different fonts convey different tones and associations.

While other properties like size, color, and spacing are also important for text styling, they are specified by different CSS properties: font-size controls the text size, color sets the text color, and properties such as letter-spacing adjust spacing between characters. Therefore, the focus of the font-family property is specifically on the font type and style rather than these other text attributes.