backward compatible
adjective
variants
or less commonly backwards compatible
: compatible with older equipment or previous versions of software
Dolby Digital is backward compatible and supports earlier versions of Dolby such as Pro Logic.—
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
backward compatibility
noun
or less commonly backwards compatibility
Examples of backward compatible in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The console is also backward compatible with most Switch 1 games, ensuring that previous investments are not lost.
—Eammonn Dignam, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Nintendo Switch 2 is also backward compatible with original Switch games, but will those older games receive improvements?
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
Ensure that new or enhanced features are backward compatible and are optional and easy to adopt.
—Henry Helgeson, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Every version of Bluetooth is backward compatible, meaning a Bluetooth 5.3 device can connect to a Bluetooth 4.0 device.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward compatible
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Eammonn Dignam, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Nintendo Switch 2 is also backward compatible with original Switch games, but will those older games receive improvements?
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
Ensure that new or enhanced features are backward compatible and are optional and easy to adopt.
—Henry Helgeson, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Every version of Bluetooth is backward compatible, meaning a Bluetooth 5.3 device can connect to a Bluetooth 4.0 device.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward compatible
Cite this Entry
“Backward compatible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backward%20compatible. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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