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

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

Europe can instead build a credible deterrence-and-defense model that reflects its military forces and doctrine, while remaining interoperable with U.S. forces.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 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

The technical term for making social networks interoperable this way is “federation,” and it turns out there are multiple ways sites can federate.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 6, 2024

Each realized that the public, which suddenly could not get enough of e-mail and browsing, wanted the Internet companies to work together and create one interoperable network.

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