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The Global Cooldown is the a general delay triggered by the use of items, spells, abilities, or attacks. It's a global cooldown, because, for 1.5 seconds (generally), it prevents you from using any item or ability. Some classes, like Rogues, have a 1.0 second global cooldown. Shamans also only trigger a 1 second cooldown when dropping totems (as of patch 2.4.0). The Global Cooldown is sometimes referred to as the GCD.
Like is mentioned above, it prevents you from using MOST items or abilities until the cooldown is over. Some abilities, such as the Paladin's Judgement, operate independent of the global cooldown.
No. Not everything triggers the GCD. Weapon swapping, special attacks, casting spells, and generally the vast majority of actions that you are likely to take during combat will trigger the GCD.
As mentioned above, the Paladin ability Judgement, doesn't. What else doesn't trigger the GCD? Generally, if the ability (or item) temporarily augments your other attacks or spells, it won't trigger the GCD. Mage spells like Arcane Power, Presense of Mind. A Priest spell like Inner Focus. For Druids, Nature's Swiftness. Most on use abilities for trinkets won't trigger the GCD. Trinkets like Vengeance of the Illidari or Lower City Prayerbook allow you to immediately cast a spell to take advantage of the Use: effect.
Generally, the only thing that can affect the Global Cooldown is Spell Haste Rating. It reduces the GCD by the same amount, to a minimum of 1.0 seconds. This change was added in 2.4.0.