asbestos

noun

as·​bes·​tos as-ˈbe-stəs How to pronounce asbestos (audio)
az-
: any of several minerals (such as chrysotile) that readily separate into long flexible fibers, that cause asbestosis and have been implicated as causes of certain cancers, and that have been used especially formerly as fireproof insulating materials

Did you know?

A grayish mineral that separates readily into long, flexible fibers, asbestos was used in the past to make brake linings, insulation, roofing shingles, floor and ceiling tiles, cement pipes, and other building materials. Asbestos fabrics were used for safety apparel and theater curtains. In the 1970s, it was found that prolonged inhalation of the tiny asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and other serious lung diseases. In 1989, the US Government instituted a gradual ban on the manufacture, use, and export of most products made with asbestos.

Examples of asbestos in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Testing will see if there’s any lead or asbestos in the soil, dust and interior air of homes. Michael Slaten, Orange County Register, 1 Feb. 2024 The demolition, and asbestos cleanup work, is being financed with a $15 million federal grant, provided through the American Rescue Plan Act. Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2024 Barretts supplied talc for cosmetic products alleged to have caused injuries primarily from exposure to asbestos supposedly contained in the products. Becky Yerak, WSJ, 28 Nov. 2023 After air quality experts discovered asbestos at the site, the Tustin Unified School District closed all campuses Thursday. Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023 Kelly-Moore Paints said its finances have been eroded by three decades of asbestos claims. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2024 Some of the furnishings on her floor date back to the 1960s, including ashtrays in toilet stalls, and the building has an asbestos problem, the remediation of which forced her staff to decamp temporarily. David Blood, CNN, 15 Sep. 2023 In February 2022, Lindsey was assigned to removed flooring that contained asbestos, but only found out later that asbestos was present. Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2024 About the only promising thing that happened in this period (aside from the establishment of the foundation that’s been keeping it from the scrappers all these years) was that one of those owners stripped the interiors to get all the asbestos out. Brittany Murray/medianews Group/long Beach Press-Telegram Via Getty Images, Curbed, 19 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'asbestos.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English albeston mineral supposed to be inextinguishable when set on fire, probably from Middle French abeston, from Medieval Latin asbeston, alteration of Latin asbestos, from Greek, unslaked lime, from asbestos inextinguishable, from a- + sbennynai to quench

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of asbestos was in 1607

Dictionary Entries Near asbestos

Cite this Entry

“Asbestos.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asbestos. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

asbestos

noun
as·​bes·​tos as-ˈbes-təs How to pronounce asbestos (audio)
az-
: a grayish mineral that easily separates into long flexible fibers, that is used to make materials that are fireproof, do not conduct electricity, and are chemically resistant, and that can cause serious lung disease if inhaled as a dust

Medical Definition

asbestos

noun
as·​bes·​tos as-ˈbes-təs How to pronounce asbestos (audio) az- How to pronounce asbestos (audio)
: any of several minerals that readily separate into long flexible fibers, that cause asbestosis and have been implicated as causes of certain cancers, and that have been used especially formerly as fireproof insulating materials

More from Merriam-Webster on asbestos

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