What does the term "viewport" refer to in web design?

The term "viewport" specifically refers to the visible area of a web page that is displayed in the browser window. This area is crucial for web design because it defines how a user interacts with and views the web content on their device.

The concept of a viewport becomes particularly important when designing responsive websites that need to adapt to different screen sizes and resolutions. For example, mobile devices have much smaller viewports compared to desktop browsers, so web designers must ensure that their designs work well within these varying constraints.

Additionally, the viewport can be controlled and set using specific HTML and CSS techniques, allowing developers to optimize what users see and how elements are sized or arranged. By understanding the viewport, designers can create a better user experience by ensuring that content is accessible and visually appealing on various devices and screen sizes.