occupational disease

American  

noun

1. Also called industrial disease.  a disease caused by the conditions or hazards of a particular occupation.

2. a trait or tendency that develops among members of a particular profession.

   Cynicism was thought to be an occupational disease of reporters.

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occupational disease Cultural  

1. A disease that is caused by a person's line of work, or occupation. A common occupational disease is carpal tunnel syndrome, which results from repetitive motion.

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Etymology

Origin of occupational disease

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

occupational disease

In 2023, a French nurse who had worked night shifts for 28 years and been exposed to radiation succeeded in having her breast cancer recognised as an occupational disease.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

These have helped contribute to Cancer Alleys, occupational disease, dangerous products and collapsing infrastructure.

From Salon ● Dec. 15, 2025

“If a worker files a claim and doesn’t meet the presumption, L&I then looks to see if they qualify for an occupational disease claim,” Hellman said.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 26, 2023

It comes after 65 MPs and peers wrote to Boris Johnson asking for the illness to be made an "occupational disease".

From BBC ● May 17, 2021

If 'cedar asthma,' the shingle weaver's occupational disease, does not get him, the steel will.

From The Everett massacre A history of the class struggle in the lumber industry by Walker C. Smith