'aluminum-containing' is a compound composed of 'aluminum' and the present participle 'containing'. 'Aluminum' originates from New Latin/Latin 'alumen', where 'alumen' meant 'bitter salt' (a source of alum). 'Contain' originates from Latin 'continere', where 'con-' meant 'together/with' and 'tenere' meant 'to hold'.

'Aluminum' was coined in the early 19th century (Sir Humphry Davy suggested forms like 'alumium' and later 'aluminium'); the English noun developed from Latin 'alumen' via New Latin and scientific usage, and the alternative spelling 'aluminum' became common in American English. 'Contain' comes from Latin 'continere' → Old French/Anglo-Norman influences → Middle English forms such as 'containen' and then modern English 'contain'; combined as a compound adjective in modern usage ('aluminum-containing').

Initially, 'alumen' referred specifically to the chemical substance alum; over time the modern element name 'aluminium'/'aluminum' was derived and now denotes the metallic element. 'Contain' originally meant 'to hold together' and has retained the general sense of 'hold or include'; combined, the compound now means 'having aluminum as part of the composition.'