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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The law also refers to claims for very specific injuries — silicosis and pulmonary fibrosis — that are not at issue in this case.

CBS News, 30 May 2022 As a healer, Mr. Dlamini became accustomed to the rattling, full-throttle cough of silicosis, a lung illness commonly contracted by miners.

Ryan Lenora Brown, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Feb. 2022 Wang was dedicated to helping construction workers dying of silicosis, or occupational lung disease.

Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2021 From 2005 to 2014, 1,167 people died of silicosis in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Elena Bruess, San Antonio Express-News, 17 Sep. 2021 Once inhaled, the mineral can cause lung cancer, kidney disease and silicosis, an incurable lung disease.

Elena Bruess, San Antonio Express-News, 17 Sep. 2021 Crystalline silica, a mineral present in the cement and other materials at batch plants, has been linked to lung disease, chronic respiratory problems and silicosis.

Elena Bruess, San Antonio Express-News, 17 Sep. 2021 This new policy will impede efforts to protect workers not only from Covid-19, but also from other occupational diseases, including tuberculosis, silicosis, and lead poisoning.

David Michaels, STAT, 24 Nov. 2020 By 2009, silicosis was becoming difficult to ignore.

Washington Post, 15 Dec. 2019 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'silicosis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from silica + -osis

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of silicosis was in 1881

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Silicosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silicosis. Accessed 5 Oct. 2022.

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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