OpenAPI
A standard machine-readable description format for HTTP APIs and their operations schemas and responses.
Plain English
A shared contract that tools and people can use to understand an API.
In context
An OpenAPI document can power documentation client generation validation testing and governance but must stay aligned with the implemented behavior.
Example
“The team updated the OpenAPI specification before generating the new SDK.”
When you'll hear this
- API design
- integration documentation
- contract testing
Common misunderstanding
Swagger commonly refers to tooling around OpenAPI or the older specification name; it is not always synonymous with every OpenAPI implementation.
Also known as
SwaggerOpenAPI SpecificationOAS
Commonly used by
Related terms
Updated: 2026-08-27
