A wireframe is a visual blueprint or skeletal outline of a website or application. It serves as a guide for the layout and structure, showcasing the placement of elements like buttons, images, and text. Wireframes help designers and developers plan the user interface without getting distracted by colors or graphics, focusing instead on functionality and user experience. Typically created in the early stages of a project, wireframes can vary in detail from simple sketches to more refined digital representations. They are essential tools in the design process, allowing teams to communicate ideas and make adjustments before moving on to more detailed designs or prototypes.