To set a default value for an HTML <select> element, you can use the selected attribute on the desired <option> within the <select> element. This marks that option as the default selection when the page loads.
For example, if you have a dropdown list with multiple options, you assign the selected attribute to the <option> that you want to appear as the default. When the page loads, that option will be pre-selected in the dropdown.
This approach ensures the user sees the intended default choice immediately upon interacting with the form.