'PCR-compatible' is a compound formed from the modern English acronym 'PCR' (from 'polymerase chain reaction') and the adjective 'compatible', which ultimately comes from Latin 'compatibilis' (com- 'together' + patibilis 'able to suffer/allow').

'compatible' derived from Latin 'compatibilis', passed into Old French and Middle English as 'compatible'/'compatibil', and developed its modern sense of 'able to exist or work together'. 'PCR' arose as an acronym in molecular biology in the late 20th century; the compound 'PCR-compatible' emerged in technical usage to describe materials and conditions that work with PCR.

Originally 'compatible' conveyed the idea of 'able to live or exist together' or 'mutually tolerable'; over time it broadened to 'suitable for combined use' and in scientific contexts is used specifically to indicate 'does not interfere with a given technique' (e.g., 'PCR-compatible' = 'does not inhibit PCR').