What term describes the interference that occurs between adjacent cables or wires?

The term that describes the interference between adjacent cables or wires is cross-talk. Cross-talk occurs when signals in one cable interfere with signals in another, typically due to electromagnetic interference. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in communication systems, where multiple data lines run close to each other.

Cross-talk can cause degradation of signal quality, leading to errors in data transmission, which is why high-quality shielding and twisted pair configurations are often employed to mitigate this issue. It's essential to understand this concept, especially when working with networking and telecommunications, to ensure optimal performance and reliability of data transmission.