Asbestos is a grey material which does not burn and which has been used as a protection against fire or heat.
asbestos in British English
(æsˈbɛstɒs, -təs) or asbestus (æsˈbɛstəs)
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
Derived forms
asbestine (asˈbestine)
adjective
Word origin
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
asbestos in American English
(æsˈbɛstəs; æzˈbɛstəs) or asˈbestus (æsˈbɛstəs; æzˈbɛstəs)
noun
1.
any of several grayish minerals, as amphiboles (esp. actinolite) or serpentines (esp. chrysotile), that separate into long, threadlike fibers thatdo 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
Derived forms
asbestine (asˈbestine) (æsˈbɛstɪn; æzˈbɛstɪn)
adjective
Word origin
ME asbestus < L asbestos < Gr, inextinguishable < a-, not + sbestos < sbennynai, to extinguish: first applied in Gr & L to unslaked lime or a mineral other thanasbestos
Examples of 'asbestos' in a sentence
asbestos
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)
In other languages
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.