What does HTML stand for?

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language, which is the standard markup language used for creating web pages and web applications. This terminology accurately reflects its core functions: "Hypertext" indicates the system of linking documents and resources on the web, allowing for interconnected navigation between different pages and sites. "Markup Language" signifies that it is a tool for annotating text to define its structure and presentation in a way that browsers can interpret and display it visually.

The other options do not encapsulate the primary purpose and function of HTML correctly. For instance, terms like "Hyperlink and Text Markup Language" or "Hypertext Multilayer Language" would imply functionalities that go beyond marking up text, leading to confusion about the foundational roles of HTML. Likewise, "High Transfer Markup Language" does not relate to the principles of web design and architecture that are central to HTML's design. Understanding that HTML is fundamentally about structuring content for the web is essential in recognizing the validity of the term and its implications for web development and design.