black lung

noun

: pneumoconiosis caused by habitual inhalation of coal dust

Examples of black lung in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, the central Appalachian region has experienced a massive resurgence of a form of black lung disease (coal-workers’ pneumoconiosis). — Elijah Tanall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026

My mother’s father died young of black lung. — Literary Hub, 18 June 2026

The hundreds of workers brought back this week join those previously reinstated in the coal workers' program focused on protecting miners from the black lung respiratory disease. — Dr. Mark Abdelmalek, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2026

That came only after a West Virginia coal miner diagnosed with black lung sued. — Margie Mason, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for black lung

• among
• hirschsprung
• unsung
• bling
• bung
• clung
• dung
• flung
• fung
• hung
• rung
• slung

Kids Definition

black lung

noun

: a disease of the lungs caused by the repeated breathing in of coal dust over a long time

called also black lung disease

Medical Definition

black lung

noun

: pneumoconiosis caused by habitual inhalation of coal dust

called also black lung disease

compare silicosis