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What do white smoke and black smoke mean during a papal conclave?

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Vatican City: St. Peter's Basilica — papacy St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.

During a papal conclave, the smoke released from the Sistine Chapel serves as the signal to the public regarding the status of the election:

White smoke: Indicates that a new pope has been successfully elected, having reached the required two-thirds majority of the cardinal electors.12
Black smoke: Signals that the conclave has concluded a round of voting without reaching the necessary majority to elect a new pope.2

Following the appearance of white smoke, the senior cardinal deacon formally announces the election from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with the Latin proclamation, “Habemus papam” (“We have a pope”).12