compatibility

[ kuhm-pat-uh-bil-i-tee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the natural ability to live or work together in harmony because of well-matched characteristics:
In earlier times, love and compatibility were not the main considerations in finding a suitable spouse.
the quality or fact of being in agreement; consistency:
Her essay questions the presumed compatibility of capitalism and democracy.
Computers. the ability to be used with a certain operating system or piece of hardware or software without the need for special adaptations:
Before installing the application, check the compatibility of your device.
the ability to function or be integrated with other parts of any system, whether biological or technical:
Terasaki devised the first tissue-typing method to assess the compatibility of organ donors and recipients.

First recorded in 1605–15; equivalent to Medieval Latin compatibili(s) + Latin -tās; compatible ( def ), -ty ²( def )

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