JavaScript is a scripting language used to add interactivity to HTML pages. It allows dynamic updating of web page content without reloading the page. JavaScript code can be added inline, embedded, or externally linked in HTML pages. Common JavaScript elements include objects, properties, methods, events, functions, variables, expressions, conditions, loops, and arrays. The DOM (Document Object Model) represents HTML documents and allows JavaScript to access and modify elements dynamically. Cookies are used by JavaScript to store and retrieve information on the client-side.