reversibility

American  

[ri-vur-suh-bil-i-tee] / rɪˌvɜr səˈbɪl ɪ ti /

Rarely reversibleness

noun

1. the ability to become the opposite in position, direction, order, or character.

   The innovative new connector allows for simple field reversibility of the pump direction.

2. the ability to be restored or returned to a previous condition.

   Benefits include the reversibility of the procedure should a major improvement in symptoms not be realized.

3. the ability to be worn or used with either side facing outward.

   The reversibility of the jacket provides an opportunity to vary your look over the course of the day.

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Other Word Forms

• nonreversibility noun
• nonreversibleness noun
• unreversibleness noun

Etymology

Origin of reversibility

revers(ible) ( def. ) + -ibility ( def. )

Example Sentences

“The exact number and reversibility of these outages won’t matter much physically until Hormuz reopens, but it matters for market sentiment and oil price,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

"Our findings suggest that the reversibility of end-organ morbidities induced by OSA goes beyond normalizing oxygenation patterns," said Gozal, corresponding author on the study.

From Science Daily • Jan. 3, 2024

The technique is of dubious utility in a kitchen, but it neatly demonstrates the reversibility of physics.

From Scientific American • Aug. 20, 2022

But like most palindromes, Tenet prizes reversibility over intelligibility: The point of “Able was I ere I saw Elba” is that it reads the same both ways, not that it teaches you anything.

From Slate • Aug. 27, 2020

Carnot’s rule is therefore the criterion of the reversibility of a cycle of operations as regards transfer of heat.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" by Various