What HTML element is used to define a footer for a document or section?

The

element is specifically designed to define a footer for a document or a section within a document in HTML. When used, it signals to both the developer and the browser that the enclosed content is related to the end of the document, typically containing information such as copyright details, links to privacy policies, or contact information. This semantic approach not only enhances the organization of the HTML structure but also aids accessibility and search engines in understanding the content better.

The other options do not serve the same purpose. The element does not exist in HTML, and using it would result in improper rendering. The

element is meant for defining sections of content but does not specifically denote footer information. Similarly, the element is intended to specify a base URL for relative links in a document, which holds no relevance to footers. Thus, the choice of using the

element is clear and appropriate for defining footer content.