HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. It is the standard markup language used for creating web pages and web applications. HTML describes the structure of a webpage using a series of elements or tags, which can include headers, paragraphs, links, images, and more. These tags provide the foundation of web pages, allowing browsers to render content correctly. Additionally, HTML can be used in conjunction with CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and JavaScript to enhance the appearance and functionality of web pages, making it an essential skill for anyone interested in web development.