EVM bytecode refers to the low-level machine code instructions that the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) executes. It is a compiled form of smart contract code written in high-level languages like Solidity. EVM bytecode consists of a series of hexadecimal instructions that define the behavior and operations of the smart contract. Each instruction represents a specific operation, such as arithmetic calculations, storage access, or function calls. EVM bytecode is generated from the high-level code using a compiler and is executed by the EVM when the smart contract is triggered.