asbestos

The word “asbestos” means a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals once widely used for fireproofing and insulation, now known to cause serious lung disease when inhaled. In plain terms, a fire-resistant mineral fiber, once used everywhere in construction, now heavily regulated because it causes cancer and lung disease.

“Asbestos” is pronounced as-BEHS-tos (/æzˈbɛs.təs/ in IPA).

Here is “asbestos” used in a sentence: “The old ceiling tiles turned out to contain asbestos and had to be removed by specialists.”

“Asbestos” is a noun.

The word “asbestos” comes from Ancient Greek. From Greek asbestos, meaning "unquenchable" — the ancient Greeks named it for its remarkable resistance to fire, long before its health dangers were understood.

“Asbestos” is an uncommon word in modern English.

Asbestos was widely used for fireproofing and insulation because of its heat-resistant fibrous properties, long before its health risks were fully understood. It is now known to cause serious lung disease when its fibers are inhaled.

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals, whereas modern insulation materials are typically synthetic and manufactured specifically to avoid the health hazards asbestos poses. Unlike many modern alternatives, asbestos is now known to cause serious lung disease when inhaled.

Asbestos was once widely used for fireproofing and insulation, but its use has been sharply curtailed since it was found to cause serious lung disease when inhaled. Older buildings may still contain it from before this risk was known.