backward compatibility

== English == === Etymology === From backward (adjective) +‎ compatibility (noun). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈbækwɜːd kəmˌpætəˈbɪlɪti/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈbækwɜɹd kəmˌpætəˈbɪləti/, [-ɾi] Rhymes: -ɪlɪti Hyphenation: back‧ward com‧pat‧i‧bil‧i‧ty === Noun === backward compatibility (usually uncountable, plural backward compatibilities) (computer hardware, software, uncountable) The capability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with older systems; (countable) an instance of this. Antonym: backward incompatibility Coordinate terms: forward compatibility, forwards compatibility; upward compatibility ==== Alternative forms ==== backwards compatibility ==== Related terms ==== backward compatible forward compatibility, forwards compatibility forward compatible, forwards compatible upward compatible upward compatibility ==== Translations ==== === Further reading === backward compatibility on Wikipedia.Wikipedia