'alkalosis' originates from the combination of 'alkali' and the suffix '-osis', where 'alkali' refers to a basic, ionic salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, and '-osis' indicates a medical condition.

'alkalosis' was formed in the early 20th century as a medical term to describe a condition of increased alkalinity in the body.

Initially, it meant a condition of increased alkalinity, and this meaning has remained consistent in modern medical usage.