'oxygen-responsive' is a compound word formed from 'oxygen' and 'responsive'. 'Oxygen' originates from the French word 'oxygène', which was derived from Greek 'oxys' meaning 'sharp' and 'genes' meaning 'producer'. 'Responsive' comes from the Latin 'respondere', meaning 'to answer'.

'Oxygen' was coined in the late 18th century, while 'responsive' has been in use since the 15th century. The combination into 'oxygen-responsive' is a modern scientific term.

Initially, 'oxygen' referred to a component of air, while 'responsive' meant 'answering'. Together, they now describe a property of materials or systems that react to oxygen.