Which attribute is better for styling multiple elements within an HTML document?

The class attribute is the preferred choice for styling multiple elements within an HTML document because it allows for the application of the same styles to a group of elements. When you assign a class to several elements, you can manage their styling collectively using a single CSS rule. This facilitates easier maintenance and consistency across your website's design.

In contrast, the ID attribute is intended for unique identification of a single element within a page. While you can use it to apply styles, it does not lend itself to styling multiple elements simultaneously since IDs must be unique. Using the style attribute restricts the CSS to inline styles, making it cumbersome to apply the same styles repeatedly across different elements and leading to difficult maintenance as your styling needs change. The meta attribute is unrelated to styling elements and is used to provide metadata about the HTML document, making it irrelevant in this context.