'high-cost' originates from the combination of 'high' and 'cost', where 'high' meant 'great in amount or degree' and 'cost' meant 'the amount of money required to purchase something'.

'high-cost' evolved from the Old English word 'hēah' for 'high' and the Latin word 'costa' for 'cost', eventually forming the modern English term 'high-cost'.

Initially, it meant 'great expense', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.