cooldown

Cooldown is a period following an action during which certain effects diminish, restrictions remain in place, or a system returns to its baseline state. The concept is used across disciplines to allow recovery, prevent immediate repetition, and avoid damage from excessive exertion or heating.

In physics and engineering, cooling describes the transfer of heat from a body to its environment until thermal equilibrium is reached. The rate of cooling depends on temperature difference, surface area, material properties, and environmental conditions. The process is often modeled by Newton's law of cooling, with a time constant characterizing how quickly the object approaches ambient temperature.

In computing and video games, a cooldown refers to a timer that must elapse before a given action can be used again. It serves to balance abilities, reduce spamming, and coordinate mechanics. Cooldowns can be per ability, global, or shared, and may be fixed or dynamic based on context.

In health, fitness, and occupational safety, a cooldown is a period after physical activity or heat exposure intended to allow physiological parameters to return toward baseline and reduce risk of injury or dizziness. Effective cooldowns typically include gradual activity reduction and stretching.

In equipment design and energy storage, cooldown periods help prevent thermal stress, battery degradation, and thermal runaway. Procedures such as controlled cooling after welding, charging/discharging high-power cells, or after high-load operations are common to protect components and extend longevity.