What is the effect of the float property in CSS?

The float property in CSS is primarily used to position an element to the left or right side of its containing element, allowing text and inline elements to wrap around it. By applying the float property, the element is taken out of the normal document flow, which means that surrounding elements will behave as though the floated element is no longer part of the layout structure. This characteristic allows for creative layouts where text can flow alongside images or other elements, enhancing the visual presentation of a webpage.

An important aspect of using the float property is that, once an element is floated, subsequent block-level elements will be displayed above the floated item, unless those elements are also floated. This behavior can significantly affect overall layout and requires careful management, typically utilizing clear properties or clearfix strategies to maintain the desired layout after floats are applied.