JavaScript is a scripting language that adds interactivity to HTML pages. It was originally developed by Netscape as a means to add dynamic elements to webpages. JavaScript can be embedded directly into HTML code using <script> tags and is interpreted by browsers rather than pre-compiled. As an object-based language, JavaScript can manipulate various HTML elements and properties through its Document Object Model. Common JavaScript objects include Window, Location, History, Form, and Date which allow for user interaction, navigation, and other functionality.