What does the term kerning refer to in typography?

Kerning specifically refers to the adjustment of space between individual letters in a word or phrase. This practice helps enhance readability and visual appeal by ensuring that letter pairs are spaced in a way that appears cohesive and balanced. While using precise kerning can elevate the overall aesthetic of typography, it plays an essential role in eliminating awkward gaps or overly tight spacing that can disrupt the flow of text.

In contrast, the other choices address different aspects of typography and do not pertain to the specific concept of kerning. The size of the typeface addresses the overall dimensions of the text, the style of the font relates to the distinct design characteristics associated with a typeface, such as serif or sans-serif, and text alignment refers to how text is positioned with respect to the document layout (left, center, right, or justified). Each of these elements contributes to the overall execution of a design but does not define or encompass the concept of kerning.