graceful degradation

noun

The ability of a system to maintain at least some of its functionality when portions are not working, or when certain features are not available.

“Since we built the website with graceful degradation in mind, it will replace animations with textual cues if JavaScript is not available.”

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Meanings

noungraceful degradation (uncountable)
  1. idiomaticuncountablecomputingThe ability of a system to maintain at least some of its functionality when portions are not working, or when certain features are not available.

    Since we built the website with graceful degradation in mind, it will replace animations with textual cues if JavaScript is not available.

Cite this entry
APA

graceful degradation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/graceful%20degradation

MLA

“graceful degradation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/graceful%20degradation. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “graceful degradation,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/graceful%20degradation.

Source: graceful degradation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.