'dual-use' originates from English, formed by combining 'dual' (from Latin 'dualis', ultimately from 'duo', meaning 'two') and 'use' (from Old French 'user' and Latin 'uti', meaning 'to use').

'dual-use' changed from the earlier two-word phrase 'dual use' and became commonly hyphenated as 'dual-use' in technical, policy, and regulatory contexts during the mid-20th century (notably around the Cold War), where it described goods and technologies with both civilian and military applications.

Initially it meant simply 'having two uses' in a general sense; over time it evolved into the more specific modern usage of 'having both civilian and military applications' (especially in policy, trade, and security contexts).