'monostandard' originates from modern English compounding Greek-derived prefix 'mono-' and English noun 'standard', where 'mono-' (from Greek 'monos') meant 'single' and 'standard' meant 'a norm or established measure'.

'standard' entered English from Old French 'estandart' (a flag or rallying sign) and developed the abstract sense 'norm, measure' in later Middle English; 'mono-' comes from Greek 'monos' and has been used in English compounds since the 17th–19th centuries; the compound 'monostandard' is a modern coinage combining these elements.

Initially, 'standard' referred to a flag or emblem, then broadened to mean a norm or criterion; combined with 'mono-' the modern compound has the clear current sense 'single norm/standard'.