Refresh rate describes how often a display updates its image each second. It is a property of the display mode rather than a statement about the incoming programme's frame rate. Matching the presentation timing appropriately can reduce uneven motion, but supported output modes and automatic matching features vary between devices and playback applications.
A practical example
A streaming box can send a film to a television using a fixed output mode that repeats some frames unevenly. A supported frame-rate matching feature may instead choose a more suitable display mode for that particular programme's timing.
A common misunderstanding
Do not change display modes blindly during troubleshooting. An unsupported mode can interrupt the picture, and a higher refresh setting is not always the most suitable choice for every source.
Related terms
Stable technical definition. Editorial approach