JavaScript is an interpretive programming language that operates at a high level. It's a vital aspect of building websites because it is useful for making dynamic content. Create interactive content, work with the DOM, and set up web sockets for real-time communication—all of these are possible with JavaScript. It executes locally in the client's web browser or remotely in the server's Node.js environment. JavaScript has rapidly gained popularity and is now one of the most extensively used languages for developing online, desktop, and mobile applications.