interoperable

American  

[in-ter-op-er-uh-buhl, -op-ruh-buhl] / ˌɪn tərˈɒp ər ə bəl, -ˈɒp rə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being used or operated reciprocally.

   interoperable weapons systems.

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interoperable British  

/ ˌɪntərˈɒprəbəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the ability to share data between different computer systems, esp on different machines

   interoperable network management systems

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Other Word Forms

• interoperability noun
• interoperably adverb

Etymology

Origin of interoperable

First recorded in 1965–70; inter- + operable

Example Sentences

In the release, the companies noted that customers increasingly want to build AI in environments that foster “open standards, interoperable software frameworks and architectural choice.”

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

It has said strict requirements to make its services interoperable with rivals' have also affected the privacy and security of its products.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

The program struggled to field drones that were reliable, cheap and interoperable enough to meet the demands of the Defense Department, which led it to move the drone work under new leadership this fall.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

“We announce our intention to explore co-production of advanced and interoperable missiles for air defense and other purposes to further bolster the Alliance deterrence posture,” the statement said.

From New York Times • Apr. 10, 2024

As a result, said Mundie, “a huge amount of data and creativity was accumulating in all those computers,” but there was no easy, interoperable way to share it and mold it.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman