The term 'latency' is commonly used in technology to describe the delay between a user's action and the system's response, particularly in network communications. High latency can lead to noticeable delays in data transfer, affecting user experiences in applications such as online gaming, video conferencing, and web browsing. Factors contributing to latency include network congestion, geographical distance, and hardware performance. Reducing latency is crucial for optimizing the responsiveness of digital services and improving overall system performance.