'asclepieion' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'asklepieion', where 'Asklepios' was the name of the god of medicine.

'asclepieion' changed from Ancient Greek 'asklepieion' into Latin and medieval forms such as 'asclepeion' and was borrowed into modern English as 'asclepieion'.

Initially, it meant 'the sanctuary of Asclepius' and over time the meaning has remained closely related as 'a healing temple or medical sanctuary'.