Definition of 'asbestos'
uncountable noun [oft NOUN noun]
Asbestos is a grey material which does not burn and which has been used as a protection against fire or heat.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
noun
a.
any of the fibrous amphibole and serpentine minerals, esp chrysotile and tremolite, that are incombustible and resistant to chemicals. It was formerly widely used in the form of fabric or board as a heat-resistant structural material
b.
(as modifier)
asbestos matting
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
adjective
Word origin of 'asbestos'
Word Frequency
asbestos in American
(æsˈbɛstəs ; asbesˈtəs; æzˈbɛstəs ; azbesˈtəs) or asˈbestus (æsˈbɛstəs ; asbesˈtəs; æzˈbɛstəs ; azbesˈtəs) noun
1.
any of several grayish minerals, as amphiboles (esp. actinolite) or serpentines (esp. chrysotile), that separate into long, threadlike fibers that
do not burn or conduct heat or electricity and are often resistant to chemicals: used, esp. formerly, to make fireproof materials, electrical insulation, roofing, etc.
: occasionally sp. asbestus adjective
2.
woven of or containing asbestos
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin of 'asbestos'
Example sentences containing 'asbestos'
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.
Read more…
And plaster in older buildings can also contain deadly asbestos. The Sun (2012)The cancer was caused by asbestos exposure. The Sun (2007)The challenge is how to minimise exposure to airborne asbestos fibres while continuing to use and maintain existing buildings. Times, Sunday Times (2010)When he was racing, he would wear masks that probably contained asbestos. Times, Sunday Times (2015)THE number of treatments for cancer caused by asbestos fibres has doubled in a decade. The Sun (2009)A fine example of democracy and the law in action for victims of asbestos exposure. Times, Sunday Times (2015)He was convinced there was a link between asbestos fibres in the owners' homes and dogs suffering from this cancer. Times, Sunday Times (2006)It is safe to occupy a building once asbestos has been properly removed, whereas asbestos management in schools is expensive. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Only a minority did not and it was impossible to tell which of the different models of mask did not contain asbestos, it said. Times, Sunday Times (2014)Nine out of ten schools in the South East still contain asbestos. The Sun (2009)Like most 1960s plaster, ours contains asbestos. Times, Sunday Times (2014)You'd also need 20,000 to remove asbestos. Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Trends of 'asbestos'
Used Occasionally. asbestos is one of the 30000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary
View usage for:
Translations for 'asbestos'
British English: asbestos NOUN
Asbestos is a grey material which does not burn and which has been used as a protection against fire or heat.
...asbestos gloves.
Nearby words of 'asbestos'
Related Terms of 'asbestos'
Source
Definition of asbestos from the
Collins English Dictionary
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Meme Ban, Heart Age & Collagin: September’s Words in the News
Catch up on the latest words in the news this September with Robert Groves.
Read more
Collins Reference Catalogue 2019
View our new 2019 reference catalogue. From dictionaries, phrasebooks, language learning, atlases and maps, general reference and puzzles, you'll be sure to find books that appeal to you.
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more