'aerobism' originates from modern English coinage combining the prefix 'aero-' from Greek and the suffix '-ism' from French/Latin; 'aero-' ultimately comes from Greek 'aēr' meaning 'air', and '-ism' denotes a practice or system.

'aerobism' was formed in modern English by analogy with words like 'aerobics' and other '-ism' nouns; the prefix 'aero-' entered English via New Latin/Greek 'aēr' and combined with the productive suffix '-ism' borrowed from French/Latin to form a noun meaning a system or practice related to air/oxygen or aerobic activity.

Initially derived to denote practices related to 'aero-' (air/oxygen), it has come to mean specifically either the practice of aerobic exercise or the state of being aerobic (oxygen-dependent).