Interoperability

Definitions

The ability of different systems, applications, or components to exchange and use information effectively, often through standardized formats and protocols. The holy grail of enterprise software and the reason we have standards bodies.
In plain English: Different software systems being able to talk to each other and share data without special custom work — like how any USB device works with any USB port.
Example: "The whole point of FHIR is interoperability — any EHR system should be able to share patient data with any other."