'protein-centric' originates from modern English as a compound of 'protein' and the suffix '-centric'. 'protein' itself was coined in the 19th century from New Latin 'proteina', ultimately from Greek 'proteios' meaning 'primary' (from 'protos' meaning 'first'), and '-centric' comes from Greek 'kentron' (via Latin/French) meaning 'center'.

'protein' was coined (1838) from Greek-derived New Latin 'proteina' and became the biochemical term 'protein'. The suffix '-centric' developed from Greek 'kentron' → Latin 'centrum' → Old French/Latin forms and entered English as the combining form '-centric'. The compound 'protein-centric' is a modern English formation combining these elements.

Initially, elements related to 'protein' in Greek conveyed 'primary' or 'first'; over time 'protein' came to denote a class of biological molecules. 'Protein-centric' developed to mean 'placing proteins at the center of attention or analysis'.