'autobus' originates from French, specifically the word 'autobus', where 'auto-' comes from Greek 'autos' meaning 'self' and 'bus' is a shortening of Latin 'omnibus' meaning 'for all'.

'autobus' entered English in the late 19th century from French 'autobus', which itself was formed from Greek/Latin elements ('autos' + 'omnibus'), and the shortened form 'bus' later became common in English.

Initially, it meant 'a self-propelled omnibus' and over time it became the general term 'bus' for road passenger vehicles; the meaning has largely remained 'motor passenger vehicle'.