what is the gaming term for the waiting period before a player can use an action again?

The gaming term for the waiting period before a player can use an action again is called a "cooldown." This mechanic requires players to wait for a certain amount of time after using a skill or action before they can use it again. Cooldowns are common in many game genres and add a strategic element by preventing players from repeatedly using powerful moves. There are variations such as global cooldowns (affecting all actions) and ability-specific cooldowns. Cooldowns help with gameplay balance and encourage strategic timing of actions.