'algae-resistant' originates from Modern English, formed by combining the noun 'algae' and the adjective 'resistant'. 'algae' comes from New Latin 'alga' (from Latin 'alga'), meaning 'seaweed', and 'resistant' comes from Old French/Latin (Latin 'resistere') meaning 'to stand against' or 'withstand'.

'algae' entered scientific English from New Latin 'alga' (from Classical Latin 'alga', ultimately from Greek terms for seaweed), and 'resistant' derives from Latin 'resistere' → Old French 'resister' → Middle English 'resisten(t)'; the compound 'algae-resistant' is a modern English formation combining these elements.

Initially the parts meant 'seaweed' (for 'algae') and 'to withstand' (for 'resistant'); when combined in modern usage the meaning is straightforward and literal: 'able to withstand or prevent algae growth', with little semantic shift over time.