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

When inhaled, this dust scars lung tissue and can lead to silicosis, DPH said. —Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 11 Dec. 2025

In 2009, to halt the spread of silicosis, Turkey banned the use of sandblasting materials containing silica. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Dec. 2025

Exposure to this dust can cause lung cancer, kidney cancer and other lung diseases such as emphysema and silicosis. —Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 1 Dec. 2025

Workers and others in the area are exposed to airborne particles containing crystalline silica, which result from cutting and chiseling stone, and can lead to fatal diseases like silicosis and lung cancer. —Meara Sharma, The Dial, 22 July 2025

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