Variable jump height
Also said as Jump cut, Hold to jump higher
A tap makes a short hop, a hold makes a full jump. In practice, letting go early just increases gravity for the rest of the rise.
One button gets a whole range of expression, and a designer can place both low ceilings and high ledges without adding a control.
Say it
“Make jump height variable: if the player releases during the rise, multiply gravity by 2.5 until the apex.”
Where you’ve seen it
Super Mario Bros. made it famous: hold A longer and Mario goes higher. Classic Castlevania does the opposite, on purpose, and its committed jump is much of its character.
Not to be confused with fixed jump
A fixed jump is decided the moment you press, as in Castlevania, and you commit to the arc. A variable jump stays under your control while you rise.