interoperability

noun

in·​ter·​op·​er·​a·​bil·​i·​ty ˌin-tər-ˌä-p(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce interoperability (audio)
: ability of a system (such as a weapons system) to work with or use the parts or equipment of another system
interoperable
ˌin-tər-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce interoperability (audio)
adjective

Examples of interoperability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Such cooperation is increasingly important as the United States and its allies seek to improve interoperability and maintain credible airpower across the Indo-Pacific. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026 Senior vice president of marketing Caitlin Allen has joined the trade association’s Daunting Data Dilemma Industry Task Force, which focuses on issues including retail data quality and interoperability. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026 Leaders should also consider data security, accessibility, interoperability, reporting governance and long-term system maintenance from the outset. — Paul Toomey, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The problem so far has been interoperability; not everything works with everything. — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for interoperability

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of interoperability was in 1965

Rhymes for interoperability

See All Rhymes for interoperability

Browse Nearby Words

interoffice
interoperability
interoperable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interoperability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interoperability. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on interoperability

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about interoperability

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All