Multipath propagation occurs when a signal travels from a transmitter to a receiver via multiple paths. This can happen due to reflections off surfaces like buildings, trees, or the ground. As a result, the same signal can arrive at the receiver at different times, which can cause interference and affect the quality of communication. In wireless communication systems, such as those using cellular networks or Wi-Fi, multipath propagation can lead to issues like fading and signal distortion. Techniques like equalization and diversity reception are often employed to mitigate these effects and improve the reliability of the transmitted signal.