From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishasbestosas‧bes‧tos /æsˈbestəs/ noun [uncountable] TIHEGa grey mineral that does not burn easily, that was used in the past as a building material or in protective clothing
Examples from the Corpus
asbestos• Raybestos ruled out the possible compromise of a temporary permission to dump asbestos at the site.• However, a $ 500 inspection revealed the building needed extensive asbestos abatement and repairs.• Indeed, asbestos is a prime example of how marginal exposure to carcinogens does not cause disease.• They issued asbestos gloves, but we never carried them.• Ruby's solicitor has dealt with a number of asbestos cases connected with the Swindon Works.• The rainwater goods, a mixture of plastic, asbestos and cast iron were fit for the scrap heap.• The latest find is of white asbestos, less dangerous than the blue variety, provided it is not disturbed.Origin asbestos (1600-1700) Latin Greek, “lime (= type of white powder which, when water is added to it, seems to burn)”, from asbestos “that cannot be put out”, from sbennynai “to put out a fire” 