What does "asbestos" mean?
Any of several fibrous mineral forms of magnesium silicate, used for fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings, chemical filters, suits, fireman's gloves, etc.
Asbestos
/æsˈbɛs.tɒs/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Any of several fibrous mineral forms of magnesium silicate, used for fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings, chemical filters, suits, fireman's gloves, etc.
- Grammar: asbestos is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: act drop, alabaster, amianthum, amianthus.
- Useful contrasts: nonfibrous mineral, nonhazardous material, noninsulating material.
- Usage evidence: In the event that asbestos-covered mesh is found, ensure its safety by damping the asbestos portion to prevent dust release and wrapping in a plastic bag.
How to use "asbestos"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "asbestos" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "asbestos" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "asbestos" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "asbestos" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "asbestos" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "act drop" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "asbestos", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any of several fibrous mineral forms of magnesium silicate, used for fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings, chemical filters, suits, fireman's gloves, etc. countable, uncountable
"All types of asbestos are potentially carcinogenic when inhaled."
- 2 a fibrous amphibole; used for making fireproof articles; inhaling fibers can cause asbestosis or lung cancer wordnet
- 3 Any of asbestos-like forms of several minerals, asbestiforms countable, uncountable
- 4 The supposed material composing part of the body that is impervious to heat, or by extension other unpleasant sensations; especially hot or spicy food. attributive, colloquial, countable, uncountable
"She sipped the coffee; she always did have asbestos lips."
Verb
- 1 To coat or line with asbestos.
"“Be sure you have plenty of kindling before you begin. They are rather non-inflammable and well asbestosed, so to speak.”"
- 2 To expose to asbestos; to cause to suffer asbestosis.
"Lungs asbestosed / unable to breath^([sic]) / and so incapable / of producing for profit / sent away without delay / so a fresh lunged / could occupy / the vacant place."
- 3 To insulate or buffer. figuratively
"Is Malcolm J. Miller’s South Carolina Sinking Fund partly immune, partly asbestosed, or what?"
Proper Noun
- 1 Former name of Val des Sources: a town in Asbestos, Estrie, Quebec, Canada.
- 2 Former name of Les Sources: a regional county municipality of Eastern Townships, Quebec, Canada.
- 3 Alternative spelling of Asbest; A town in Sverdlovsk Oblast, Ural, Russia. alt-of, alternative
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
nonfibrous mineralnonhazardous materialnoninsulating material
Example
"In the event that asbestos-covered mesh is found, ensure its safety by damping the asbestos portion to prevent dust release and wrapping in a plastic bag."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "asbestos"?
Common synonyms include: act drop, alabaster, amianthum, amianthus, asbestiform mineral, asbestos board.
How do you use "asbestos" in a sentence?
In the event that asbestos-covered mesh is found, ensure its safety by damping the asbestos portion to prevent dust release and wrapping in a plastic bag.
How do you pronounce "asbestos"?
Pronounced /æsˈbɛs.tɒs/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Old French abestos, from Latin asbestos, itself from Ancient Greek ἄσβεστος (ásbestos, “unquenchable, inextinguishable”), from ᾰ̓- (ă-, “not”) + σβέννῡμῐ (sbénnūmĭ, “I quench, quell”).
Etymology 2
From asbestos, from Old French abestos. * (Asbestos, Quebec): Named by the Royal Mail for the asbestos mines the mining settlement was setup for, when Canada was still a colony of Britain. The county was named for the town. * (Asbestos, Russia): English for the Russian term for asbestos, асбест (asbest)