future-proofadj.
/ˈfjuːtʃəpruːf/, U.S. /ˈfjutʃərˌpruf/ Protected from the consequences of future events; esp. (of a product) designed in a manner that provides protection against rapid obsolescence.
ΚΠ
1983 Computerworld (Nexis) 7 Feb. 63 Described by some observers of the London computer scene as ‘future proof’ Microframe contains a vendor-developed bus architecture.
1987 Which Video? Jan. 33/2 Video and audio performance are outstanding and the system is one of the few that can genuinely claim to be ‘future-proof’.
1993 Diffusion EBU 23/2 A radio set of the future will thus make it possible to choose from among hundreds of music stations. The DAB system is future-proof.
2000 Western Daily Press (Electronic ed.) 22 Apr. No one can accurately predict the future, but these changes [to area code telephone numbers] are designed to be as future proof as possible.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
future-proofv.
/ˈfjuːtʃəpruːf/, U.S. /ˈfjutʃərˌpruf/ transitive. Of a product, business, etc.: to equip for or protect against future developments; to design in a manner aimed at preventing rapid obsolescence.
ΚΠ
1986 Crain's Chicago Business (Nexis) 24 Feb. t7 ‘Future proof’ your company.
1988 Data Communications (Nexis) Aug. is3 If users know they will have higher bandwidths from day one, they can futureproof their OSCA implementations.
1994 PC User (Nexis) 2 Nov. 110 At first mono printing will be required, but the ability to upgrade to colour easily and for very little cost helps to future proof the machines.
1998 Independent 28 May (Fast Track section) 2/2 So how can you future-proof your career?
2001 Fiber Optics News (Electronic ed.) 10 Jan. The fact that fiber offers such high bandwidth future-proofs a network.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1983v.1986