HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language, which is the standard language used for creating and designing documents on the web. It allows developers to structure content using various tags to define elements like headings, paragraphs, images, and links. By organizing information within a web page, HTML ensures proper rendering in web browsers, making it a fundamental technology alongside CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and JavaScript for interactive and visually appealing web applications. Essentially, HTML forms the backbone of the web, allowing for the development of user-friendly interfaces and experiences.