What is described as any device that accesses a network, such as a smartphone or laptop?

The term that refers to any device capable of accessing a network is a client. In networking terminology, a client is a device that requests resources or services from a server. This can include various devices such as smartphones, laptops, desktops, tablets, and any other equipment that connects to a network to utilize its services, like accessing the internet, retrieving files, or communicating with other devices.

Understanding this concept is essential because it distinguishes clients from servers, which are designed to provide resources and services to the clients. This client-server model is foundational in networking, illustrating how devices interact within various infrastructures, such as local area networks (LAN) or the internet as a whole.