silicosis

noun

sil·​i·​co·​sis ˌsi-lə-ˈkō-səs 

: pneumoconiosis characterized by massive fibrosis of the lungs resulting in shortness of breath and caused by prolonged inhalation of silica dusts

silicotic

ˌsi-lə-ˈkä-tik 

adjective or noun

Examples of silicosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The workers inhale these particles, and many develop a severe and rapidly progressive form of silicosis. —David Michaels, Fortune, 21 June 2026

As sales of the new product grew globally, cases of silicosis among countertop fabrication workers appeared in the United States in 2014, Australia in 2015, and more recently in Great Britain, China and Taiwan. —David Michaels, The Conversation, 18 June 2026

After about a decade, he was diagnosed with silicosis. —Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 18 May 2026

Gandhi believes high-silica countertops should be banned, since even tiny lapses in protective measures put workers at risk of silicosis, and natural and low-silica alternatives are available. —Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from silica + -osis

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

silicosis

noun

sil·​i·​co·​sis ˌsil-ə-ˈkō-səs 

: a serious lung disease that is characterized by scar tissue in the lungs and shortness of breath and is caused by inhaling silica dusts for a long time

Medical Definition

silicosis

noun

sil·​i·​co·​sis ˌsil-ə-ˈkō-səs 

plural silicoses -ˌsēz 

: pneumoconiosis characterized by massive fibrosis of the lungs resulting in shortness of breath and caused by prolonged inhalation of silica dusts compare black lung, pneumoconiosis