retroactive

[ re-troh-ak-tiv ]
/ ˌrɛ troʊˈæk tɪv /

adjective

operative with respect to past occurrences, as a statute; retrospective: a retroactive law.
pertaining to a pay raise effective as of a past date.

Origin of retroactive

First recorded in 1605–15; retro- + active

OTHER WORDS FROM retroactive

Words nearby retroactive

retro, retro-, retro-operative, retroact, retroaction, retroactive, retroactive inhibition, retrobulbar, retrobulbar anesthesia, retrobulbar neuritis, retrocalcaneobursitis

British Dictionary definitions for non-retroactivity

retroactive
/ (ˌrɛtrəʊˈæktɪv) /

adjective

applying or referring to the past retroactive legislation
effective or operative from a date or for a period in the past

Derived forms of retroactive

retroactively, adverb retroactiveness or retroactivity, noun