What are CSS transitions primarily used for?

CSS transitions are primarily employed to create smooth animations when changing property values over time. This allows for a more dynamic and visually appealing user experience as elements on a web page can gradually change from one state to another rather than switching abruptly.

For instance, when you change the background color or size of an element, instead of an instant change, a transition can animate the change, making it gradual. This is particularly useful for enhancing interfaces, as it draws the user’s attention and provides feedback on interactions, like clicking a button or hovering over a link.

While hover effects can utilize transitions, they are not the primary purpose of transitions themselves. Media queries are more about responsive design rather than animating changes in property values, and loading external stylesheets pertains to how styles are applied to a document rather than the smoothness of property changes. Thus, smooth transitions in property values are the core function of CSS transitions.