portability

[ pawr-tuh-bil-i-tee, pohr- ]

noun

, plural port·a·bil·i·ties

1. the state or quality of being portable.
2. a plan or system under which employees may accumulate pension rights under any employer who is a participant in the plan negotiated with their union.

Other Words From

• nonport·a·bili·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of portability¹

First recorded in 1965–70; port(able) + -ability

Example Sentences

The helmet’s portability means it can be delivered in settings outside of the hospital.

From Science Daily

On Monday, he was relieved by the portability of the Cannes prize.

From Seattle Times

Moreover, it is necessary to construct cameras, optical systems, and illumination systems for portable NRI-HSI devices, but no device that can acquire NIR-HSI with a rigid scope, crucial for portability, has been reported yet.

From Science Daily

The microAethsensor's portability would allow monitoring at remote or inaccessible stationary sites, as well as for mobile use.

From Science Daily

And with number portability — the ability to keep your phone number even when you change phone companies — area codes are losing their place as geographic symbols.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flexibility
• maneuverability