evergreen

C1 · Advanced Computing Technical

adj. describing software or a web browser that updates itself automatically so you always have the newest version.

adj. referring to software, particularly web browsers, that follows a continuous release cycle and updates automatically without user intervention.

“Most modern browsers are evergreen, meaning they stay secure without you doing anything.”

“The transition to an evergreen browser model has significantly reduced the security risks associated with outdated web standards.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a tree or bush that stays green all year.

n. a botanical specimen, typically a conifer, that retains its leaves or needles throughout all seasons.

“We planted a row of evergreens along the fence to create a private screen.”

“The hillside was covered in a dense forest of evergreens, providing a sharp contrast to the bare oaks in the valley below.”

C2 · Proficiency Law Technical · Formal

v. to keep a patent or legal right active for longer by making small changes to it.

v. to extend the term of a patent or legal protection beyond its standard limit, often through minor modifications or strategic legal filings.

“The company tried to evergreen its drug patent by changing the pill's coating.”

“Critics argue that the practice of evergreening pharmaceutical patents prevents cheaper generic versions of life-saving drugs from entering the market.”