The <button> HTML element defines a clickable interface element that users can interact with to perform actions on a webpage. Unlike simple links, buttons can trigger a wide range of behaviors, such as submitting forms, executing JavaScript functions, toggling content visibility, or controlling interactive components like modals and menus.

A key advantage of <button> over other clickable elements, like <a> or <input type="button">, is its flexibility: it can contain not just text, but also images, icons, or even complex HTML content, allowing developers to create visually rich and interactive controls. Buttons are also accessible by default - they can be focused and activated using the keyboard, making them an essential part of building user-friendly and inclusive web interfaces.

Because <button> elements are versatile, they are widely used in forms, navigation, toolbars, and interactive widgets, serving as a core building block for modern web applications.

Example:

<button onclick="alert('Button clicked!')">
  <img src="icon.png" alt="Icon"> Click Me
</button>

This example shows that a button can combine an image and text, creating a richer user experience.