What does HTML stand for?

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. This is a foundational language used to create and design documents on the World Wide Web. It provides a structure to the content of web pages through the use of various elements, which are marked up with tags that tell browsers how to display the text, images, links, and other multimedia content.

Hypertext refers to the system that allows documents to be linked together via hyperlinks, enabling users to navigate from one page to another seamlessly. The "Markup" part of the term refers to the way HTML uses tags to annotate text, distinguishing elements such as headings, paragraphs, lists, and links, thereby organizing the document's structure.

Understanding HTML is essential for anyone involved in web development or content management, as it forms the backbone of most web technologies used today. The other options provided do not accurately describe HTML, as they either introduce incorrect terms or concepts not relevant to how the language functions within web development.