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legacy

LEG-uh-see /ˈleɡəsi/

nounadjectiveB2GRETOEFL

technicalbusiness

Relating to outdated computer systems, software, or technology that is still used because it performs critical functions.

Legacy systems are often old, clunky, and expensive to maintain, but they are too critical or deeply integrated to be easily replaced (e.g., banking systems).

The story behind the word. Historically, a legacy was a gift of property or money left to someone in a will. In the 1970s, IBM began using 'legacy' to describe older computer systems that customers had 'inherited' from their own past purchases and still had to maintain.

Word relationships

inherited: Inherited refers to anything passed down from predecessors, while legacy specifically implies outdated technology that must still be supported.

state-of-the-art: State-of-the-art refers to the most modern, advanced technology currently available.

Commonly confused with

deprecated: Legacy refers to entire older systems still in active use, while deprecated refers to specific features or code marked for future removal.

Word family

legacies (noun): Plural form of legacy.

Collocations

legacy system
legacy code
maintain legacy
legacy application

Example sentences

"Migrating our legacy database to the cloud is our top priority for the upcoming fiscal year." A corporate IT strategy presentation.

Memory hook

Think of a 'legacy' left by a grandparent; it is old, but you still have to take care of it. An old inheritance you can't get rid of.

When not to use

Do not use legacy to describe something that is simply broken or useless; legacy systems still work and are highly valuable, despite their age.

Fun facts

Many of the world's largest banks still run on legacy mainframe systems built in the 1960s and 1970s because the risk of upgrading them is too high.