'compressed-air' originates from the combination of 'compress' and 'air', where 'compress' means 'to press together' and 'air' refers to the invisible gaseous substance surrounding the earth.

The term 'compressed-air' has been used since the 19th century when advancements in technology allowed for the compression and storage of air for industrial use.

Initially, it referred to any air that was compressed, but over time it has become associated specifically with air used in industrial and mechanical applications.