'oxidation-preventing' originates from Modern English, specifically the compound 'oxidation' + 'preventing', where 'oxidation' ultimately derives from French 'oxydation' (from Greek 'oxys' meaning 'acid' or 'sharp') and 'preventing' traces to Latin 'praevenire', where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'venire' meant 'to come'.

'oxidation' entered English via French 'oxydation' and the verb 'oxidize' in late 18th-century chemistry; 'prevent' came into English from Old French 'prevenir' (from Latin 'praevenire'). The compound 'oxidation-preventing' is a Modern English formation combining these elements.

Initially, 'oxidation' referred specifically to combination with oxygen in chemical contexts and 'prevent' meant 'to come before' or 'to forestall'; over time the compound evolved into its current meaning of 'acting to stop or reduce oxidation'.