'explosion-inhibiting' is a compound formed from the noun 'explosion' and the present participle 'inhibiting'. 'explosion' originates from Latin 'explosio' (from 'explodere'), where 'ex-' meant 'out' and the root related to 'plaudere/plaud-' meant 'to strike/clap'; 'inhibit' originates from Latin 'inhibere', where 'in-' meant 'in' or 'on' and 'hibere/habere' meant 'to hold.'

'explosion' came into English via Latin 'explosio' (and Middle French/Latin-derived forms) and developed into the modern English 'explosion'; 'inhibit' entered English from Latin 'inhibere' through Late Latin and Middle English, with the present participle form 'inhibiting' used to form adjectival compounds like 'explosion-inhibiting'.

Initially, 'explosion' referred to a forceful 'driving out' (from striking/clapping) and 'inhibit' meant 'to hold in' or 'restrain'; combined as 'explosion-inhibiting' the compound now specifically denotes materials, devices, or actions that prevent or reduce explosive events.