software compatibility

noun

UK /ˈsɒftweə kəmˌpætəˈbɪləti/

US /ˈsɔːftwer kəmˌpætəˈbɪləti/

When a program works well with a computer or another program.

The game would not run on my old laptop because of a software compatibility problem.

SYNONYMS

program compatibility system compatibility app compatibility interoperability

RELATED WORDS

operating system version update hardware driver

OTHER MEANINGS

2. The ability of two or more programs to share data and work together.

Software compatibility lets the spreadsheet open in both apps.

3. The state of a program being able to run on a particular device or system.

Check the software compatibility before you buy the new tablet.

4. The quality of a new version of a program still working with older files.

Backward software compatibility means your old documents still open.