'indispensability' originates from Latin elements via French and English: the root 'dispensare' (Latin) meant 'to distribute/hand out' and the prefix 'in-' (Latin) meant 'not', producing the notion 'not able to be dispensed with.'

'indispensability' developed through Late Latin 'dispensabilis' and French 'indispensable' (from Latin + prefix), entering English as 'indispensable' in the 16th century; the noun form 'indispensability' was formed later in English from that adjective.

Initially related to 'not able to be dispensed with' (literally 'not able to be set aside'); over time this evolved into the broader sense 'absolutely necessary or essential'.