'asbestos-containing' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'asbestos' and the present participle 'containing'; 'asbestos' ultimately comes from Greek 'asbestos' (ἀσβέστος), where the word meant 'inextinguishable,' and 'contain' derives from Latin 'continēre' ('con-' + 'tenēre') meaning 'to hold together'.

'asbestos' entered English from Modern Latin 'asbestus' (from Greek 'asbestos'); 'contain' entered English via Old French/Latin ('contenir' / 'continēre'); the compound adjective 'asbestos-containing' was formed in modern English usage (20th century) to describe materials that include asbestos.

Originally 'asbestos' described the property 'inextinguishable' and then the mineral noted for fire resistance; over time the compound 'asbestos-containing' came to have the straightforward meaning 'containing asbestos' used in safety and regulatory contexts.