'nonalignment' originates from the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and the word 'alignment', which comes from the French word 'aligner', meaning 'to line up'.

'nonalignment' evolved from the concept of 'alignment' in the 20th century, particularly during the Cold War era, to describe countries that did not align with either the Western or Eastern blocs.

Initially, it meant 'not being in line with', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'not aligning with any major power bloc'.