Definition of 'asbestos'

Word Frequency

asbestos

(æsbestɒs )

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.

Word Frequency

asbestos in British

(æsˈbɛstɒs , -təs) or asbestus (æsˈbɛstəs)

noun

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

(as modifier)

asbestos matting

Derived forms

asbestine (asˈbestine)

adjective

Word origin of 'asbestos'

C14 (originally applied to a mythical stone the heat of which could not be extinguished): via Latin from Greek: from asbestos inextinguishable, from a-1 + sbennunai to extinguish

Word Frequency

asbestos in American

(æsˈbɛstəs ; asbesˈtəs; æzˈbɛstəs ; azbesˈtəs) or asˈbestus (æsˈbɛstəs ; asbesˈtəs; æzˈbɛstəs ; azbesˈtəs)

noun

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

woven of or containing asbestos

Derived forms

asbestine (asˈbestine) (æsˈbɛstɪn ; asbesˈtin; æzˈbɛstɪn ; azbesˈtin)

adjective

Word origin of 'asbestos'

ME asbestus < L asbestos < Gr, inextinguishable < a-, not + sbestos < sbennynai, to extinguish: first applied in Gr & L to unslaked lime or a mineral other than asbestos

Example sentences containing 'asbestos'

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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)