A “standard” is like the building inspector’s code. It sets forth the rules that you must follow in order to produce something — a home, for example — that is useful and safe.

In computer networking, the 802 standard (so named because it came into being in February of 1980) sets forth the rules you must follow to create interoperable networking systems.

The 802.11 standard governs wireless networking. And this web site covers the entire alphabet soup of 802.11 standards.