'object-centred' originates from a combination of two English elements: 'object' and 'centred'. 'object' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'objectum', where 'ob-' meant 'against' and 'ject' (from Latin 'iacere') meant 'to throw'. 'centred' originates from Latin via Old French: Latin 'centrum', specifically the Greek 'kentron', where 'kentron'/'centrum' meant 'center' or 'point'.

'object' changed from Latin 'objectum' to Old French 'objet' and then to Middle English 'object' and modern English 'object'. 'centre' (from Greek 'kentron' → Latin 'centrum' → Old French 'centre') entered Middle English as 'centre' and later formed adjective/compound forms such as 'centred'; the modern compound 'object-centred' developed in English by combining these elements.

Initially, Latin components referred to physical relations ('objectum' as 'something thrown before or opposed' and 'kentron/centrum' as a point or center); over time the compound evolved to the figurative sense 'having the object as the focus' used in modern contexts like design and theory.