The term "iteration" refers to the repetition of a process in order to achieve a desired outcome or result. In programming, iteration often involves repeating a certain set of operations or instructions until a specific condition is met, or until a specific number of iterations have been completed. Iteration is an important concept in programming because it allows developers to automate repetitive tasks and to create more efficient and effective code. Common examples of iterative processes in programming include loops, functions, and recursive algorithms.