What does a 'float' property do in CSS layout?

The 'float' property in CSS is used to align an element horizontally within its parent container, allowing other content to flow around it. When an element is set to float, it moves to the left or right of its container, and text or inline elements can wrap around it, which creates more flexible layouts. This property is particularly useful for creating sidebars, image galleries, or any layout where you need elements to be positioned adjacent to one another rather than stacked vertically.

Using 'float' effectively changes the flow of content, allowing designers to achieve a desired arrangement and create visually appealing layouts without resorting to complex positioning techniques.