'jQuery' is an efficient, lightweight, and robust JavaScript library, crafted to simplify complex tasks like HTML document traversal, manipulation, event handling, and animating web elements. This makes the development of web applications compatible across different browsers more straightforward.

With its clear and concise syntax, jQuery allows developers to perform intricate operations with less code. Despite the advent of newer web technologies, jQuery maintains its popularity, thanks to its ease of use, extensive plugin library, and wide-ranging browser support.