What does the term 'request' refer to in web performance?

In the context of web performance, the term 'request' specifically refers to the time spent on receiving the response after a client (such as a web browser) has sent a request to a server. This involves the process that begins once the request is initiated and concludes when the response is fully received by the client.

Understanding 'request' in this way is crucial for analyzing the performance of web applications, as it directly impacts user experience. If the time taken to receive a response is lengthy, it may indicate potential issues with server performance, network latency, or resource availability, which can adversely affect how quickly a user can interact with a web application.

The other concepts mentioned, such as the time to establish a TCP connection, the total duration from page start to load completion, and the time needed for DNS resolution, are all important aspects of web performance but do not specifically define the term 'request' in this context. Each of those elements can contribute to overall load times, yet they represent different stages or factors involved in the web performance process.