'acoustoelectric' originates from the combination of 'acousto-' from Greek 'akoustikos' meaning 'of or for hearing' and 'electric' from Latin 'electricus' meaning 'produced from amber by friction'.

'Acoustoelectric' was formed by combining the Greek root 'akoustikos' with the Latin-derived 'electric'.

Initially, it referred to the interaction between sound and electricity, and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.