In CSS, what does the 'float' property do?

The 'float' property in CSS is used to position an element to the left or right of its container, allowing other content to wrap around it. This property is particularly useful for creating layouts where you want text or other inline elements to flow around a floated object, such as an image or a sidebar.

When you apply the float property to an element, it is taken out of the normal document flow and positioned to the specified side (left or right) as closely as possible to its parent element. Other elements then behave as if the floated element is not there, allowing them to wrap around it. This capability of controlling the position of elements helps in designing layouts that can adapt to various screen sizes.

For example, if you have a text block and you float an image to the right, the text will flow alongside the image to the left. This technique has been commonly used in responsive design before more modern layout techniques like Flexbox and Grid evolved.

This understanding of the float property is essential for CSS layout design and how it influences the overall appearance of a webpage.