'pleuroprotective' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'pleura' (meaning 'side', 'rib', or the membrane surrounding the lungs), combined with English 'protective' (from Latin 'protegere', 'to cover in front').

'pleura' entered medical and New Latin usage from Greek and was adopted into English as 'pleura'; 'protective' comes from Latin 'protegere' via Old French and Middle English ('protect' → 'protective'). In modern medical English these elements were combined to form 'pleuroprotective' (20th century onward) to describe agents or actions that protect the pleura.

Initially the components referred separately to 'the pleural membrane' and 'serving to protect'; combined, the term evolved to mean 'providing protection specifically to the pleura or pleural tissues' in clinical and research contexts.