Frame rate is the number of video frames presented per second. It influences how motion is represented, alongside shutter choices, source quality and playback timing. A stream's frame rate is separate from the screen's refresh rate, although their relationship can affect the smoothness of motion on the particular display being used.
A practical example
A live sport source can contain more distinct motion frames per second than a film source. A television must present either source at its supported output timing, which can involve repeating frames or changing its refresh behaviour when suitable matching is available.
A common misunderstanding
An advertised screen refresh rate does not prove that the incoming programme has the same number of distinct frames. More display refreshes cannot recover motion samples absent from the source.
Related terms
Stable technical definition. Editorial approach