What is the role of the <link> tag in HTML?

The tag in HTML is primarily used to retrieve resources for the document, most commonly external stylesheets. This tag helps connect a web page with its CSS files, which are crucial for styling the presentation of the HTML document. When you use the tag to specify a stylesheet, it allows the browser to load and apply those styles accordingly, ensuring that the design of the webpage is consistent with the designer's intentions.

The functionality of the tag goes beyond just linking to stylesheets; it can also be used for other resources such as icons and alternate stylesheets. However, its most significant and common use is to link to CSS files, making option B the correct choice.

The other options do not accurately describe the purpose of the tag. For example, creating a hyperlink to another document is typically performed using the (anchor) tag, while defining metadata is done through the tag. Embedding images is handled using the tag. Each of these tags has its specific role and functionality in HTML, distinct from the purpose of the tag.