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Definition of asbestos

asbestos

/æsˈbɛs.təs/
as · bes · tos
Adjective:asbestic
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asbestos Lexical Profile

asbestos Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A naturally occurring group of heat-resistant fibrous silicate minerals that was formerly widely used in building insulation and fireproofing before being restricted due to the severe respiratory illnesses caused by inhaling its microscopic fibers.

Example

"The municipal government hired certified specialists to safely remove the old asbestos from the school ceiling before renovations began."

• Rhymes for asbestos

• Nearby Words

asafetida
asahan
asarina
asbestos
ascend
ascendance
ascendant

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed via Old French and Latin from Ancient Greek 'asbestos', literally meaning 'inextinguishable' or 'unquenchable', from the privative prefix 'a-' ('not') and 'sbestos' ('quenchable'). In antiquity, the name was mistakenly applied to quicklime (which heats up when doused with water) before becoming associated with the fireproof mineral.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Asbestos. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/asbestos
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