backward compatible
adjective
variants
or less commonly backwards compatible
: compatible with older equipment or previous versions of software
Dolby Digital is backward compatible and supports earlier versions of Dolby such as Pro Logic.—
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
backward compatibility
noun
or less commonly backwards compatibility
Examples of backward compatible in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Support For Multi-Gig Internet As well as offering the higher speed and lower latency of Wi-Fi 7 technology, the new Orbi 370 Series is backward compatible with Wi-Fi 4/5/6/6E.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
The new console continues to balance on-the-go handheld gaming with big-screen TV play, remains backward compatible with most Switch games, and adds more retro games to its digital library with the arrival of classic GameCube games.
—Matt Kamen, Wired News, 20 July 2025
Most Nintendo Switch 2 games are backward compatible with the original Switch, but some titles experience compatibility issues.
—Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 5 June 2025
The Switch 2 is largely backward compatible, meaning the vast majority of older titles will work on it (Nintendo is maintaining a list).
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward compatible
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.
Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
The new console continues to balance on-the-go handheld gaming with big-screen TV play, remains backward compatible with most Switch games, and adds more retro games to its digital library with the arrival of classic GameCube games.
—Matt Kamen, Wired News, 20 July 2025
Most Nintendo Switch 2 games are backward compatible with the original Switch, but some titles experience compatibility issues.
—Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 5 June 2025
The Switch 2 is largely backward compatible, meaning the vast majority of older titles will work on it (Nintendo is maintaining a list).
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward compatible
Cite this Entry
“Backward compatible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backward%20compatible. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share