HTTP, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol, is a protocol used for transferring data over the internet. It defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, allowing web browsers and servers to communicate. When you enter a website address, your browser uses HTTP to request the page from the server. HTTP operates on a request-response model. When a user requests a webpage, the server processes the request and sends back the appropriate data, such as HTML files, images, or videos. This process enables users to access and interact with content on the World Wide Web.