silicosis

American  

[sil-i-koh-sis] / ˌsɪl ɪˈkoʊ sɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. a disease of the lungs caused by the inhaling of siliceous particles, as by stonecutters.

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silicosis British  

/ ˌsɪlɪˈkəʊsɪs /

noun

1. pathol a form of pneumoconiosis caused by breathing in tiny particles of silica, quartz, or slate, and characterized by shortness of breath and fibrotic changes in the tissues of the lungs

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Other Word Forms

• silicotic adjective

Etymology

Origin of silicosis

First recorded in 1890–95; silic(a) + -osis

Example Sentences

In Los Angeles County, they have become the face of an alarming outbreak of silicosis, a deadly lung disease caused by inhaling dust loaded with crystalline silica, among young workers who cut countertops.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2025

They also require more sensitive scans, rather than chest X-rays, to detect silicosis among workers who could be at risk.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2024

Doctors have raised alarms as young workers have been afflicted with silicosis, a deadly illness caused by inhaling particles of crystalline silica.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2024

Paul Gray and Stuart Johnson, who worked for the same stone production companies in Bradford and Leeds, were diagnosed with silicosis caused by silica dust.

From BBC • Nov. 4, 2024

Those most at risk of developing silicosis have inhaled large amounts of silica dust over a period of years.

From BBC • Nov. 4, 2024