silicosis

noun

sil·i·co·sis | \ ˌsi-lə-ˈkō-səs

Definition of silicosis

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

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The wife of one worker suspected silicosis, perhaps worsened by heavy smoking habits. — The Economist, "The last man to have built Mount Rushmore," 1 Aug. 2019 Sand mining can also pose a human health risk in the form of silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling tiny, airborne silica particles. — Geoffrey Giller, Discover Magazine, "The Midwestern Sand Mines Feeding the Fracking Industry," 26 Apr. 2019 Injuries are common, and the constant breathing in of fine particles can lead to respiratory conditions like asthma, silicosis, and tuberculosis. — Jocelyn C. Zuckerman, Marie Claire, "Is Your Makeup the Result of Child Labor?," 16 Oct. 2018 Jagged ash particles irritate the lungs and over the long term can lead to a disease known as silicosis. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Volcanoes are awe-inspiring. Here are 7 things to know about them.," 11 May 2018 Industry wants to kill the rule Silica dust exposure has been linked to silicosis — a chronic, incurable lung disease — for centuries, and the issue rose to national prominence in the 1930s. — Suzy Khimm, NBC News, "Trump Administration Stalls Key Obama Rule on Worker Safety," 28 Sep. 2017 Safety experts have urged a tightening of silica exposure standards since the 1970s because research shows that particles of the mineral, when inhaled, can cause silicosis, a disabling and sometimes fatal lung disease. — Barry Meier, New York Times, "New Rules Aim to Reduce Silica Exposure at Work Sites," 24 Mar. 2016 A second employee could not afford to see a doctor but also had symptoms of silicosis. — Audrey Dutton, idahostatesman, "Workers lost their lives: The dark side of Idaho’s residential construction boom," 19 May 2017 In 2009, Turkey banned sandblasting—the practice of spraying denim with sand to give it a fashionable distressed look—because workers were developing silicosis from breathing in sand. — National Geographic, "Killer Clothing Was All the Rage In the 19th Century," 17 Oct. 2016

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.

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Dictionary Entries near silicosis

silicon tetrachloride

silicon tetrafluoride

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16 Aug 2019

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Time Traveler for silicosis

The first known use of silicosis was in 1881

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More Definitions for silicosis

silicosis

noun

sil·i·co·sis | \ ˌsil-ə-ˈkō-səs

plural silicoses\ -ˌsēz

Medical Definition of silicosis

: 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