'statism' originates from English formation combining 'state' + the suffix '-ism'. 'State' ultimately comes from Old French 'estat' and Latin 'status' (meaning 'condition, position'), while the suffix '-ism' comes via Greek '-ismos' meaning 'practice or system'.

'state' developed from Latin 'status' through Old French 'estat' into Middle English 'state'; the suffix '-ism' comes from Greek '-ismos' through Latin and French; the modern English noun 'statism' was formed by combining 'state' + '-ism' to denote a doctrine or system related to the state.

Initially elements like 'state' referred to the condition or standing of a political entity; over time the combined form 'statism' came to specifically mean the doctrine or practice of strong state control over society and the economy.