'NSAID' originates from English, specifically the phrase 'non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug', where 'non-' meant 'not', 'steroidal' referred to 'steroid', 'anti-' meant 'against', 'inflammatory' related to 'inflammation', and 'drug' meant 'medicine'.

'NSAID' developed as an acronym in 20th-century medical literature to distinguish these medicines from steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; the initial full phrase 'non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug' was in use earlier and was later commonly abbreviated to 'NSAID'.

Initially used mainly to contrast these drugs with steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, the term evolved into a standard class name referring to a broad group of over-the-counter and prescription pain-relief and anti-inflammatory medicines.