Final answer:
Padding is the space between an element and its border in web design. It is different from margin, which is the space between two elements. Padding is specified in CSS and helps in shaping the visual layout of a website.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of web design and development, padding is defined as the space between an element and its border. It is used to create space within an element, allowing the content within to have some breathing room away from the element's border. This can be crucial for the visual aesthetics of a webpage and can affect readability and user experience. It's different from the margin, which is the space between two elements. Margins affect the space outside the border of an element, determining how it is positioned relative to other elements on the page.
Padding is specified in CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), and it can be controlled on all four sides of an element (top, right, bottom, and left) or uniformly around all sides. Designers use padding effectively in conjunction with margins to create the desired layout and spacing within a webpage, shaping the pictorial space for a coherent visual presentation.