pneumoconiosis

noun

pneu·​mo·​co·​ni·​o·​sis ˌnü-mō-ˌkō-nē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce pneumoconiosis (audio)
ˌnyü-
plural pneumoconioses ˌnü-mō-ˌkō-nē-ˈō-ˌsēz How to pronounce pneumoconiosis (audio)
ˌnyü-
: a disease of the lungs caused by the habitual inhalation of irritants (such as mineral or metallic particles) compare black lung, silicosis

Examples of pneumoconiosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Exposure to silica and coal dust is a contributing factor for black lung disease, or coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, and a more severe form of progressive massive fibrosis. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024 Silicosis is an occupational pneumoconiosis caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica dust present in minerals like sandstone. Leah Willingham and Matthew Daly, Anchorage Daily News, 25 July 2023 Coal miners’ pneumoconiosis, or black lung disease, affects one in five veteran miners in central Appalachia, according to a 2018 report by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the rate of disease has risen dramatically since 2000. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 19 Dec. 2021 Miners are at risk of silicosis, pneumoconiosis (black lung) and other diseases from coal dust. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 26 Feb. 2015 Some of those provisions would extend the current fee paid by coal companies to fund benefits received by victims of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, or black lung. Lisa Mascaro and Farnoush Amiri, ajc, 23 Dec. 2021 Some of those provisions would extend the current fee paid by coal companies to fund benefits received by victims of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, or black lung. Arkansas Online, 23 Dec. 2021 Some of those provisions include language that would extend the current fee paid by coal companies to fund benefits received by victims of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, or black lung. Lisa Mascaro and Farnoush Amiri, chicagotribune.com, 21 Dec. 2021 The federal dust rules exist to protect mine workers from inhaling too much dusty air, which can contribute to an incurable and fatal disease called pneumoconiosis, or black lung. Dylan Lovan, ajc, 17 Nov. 2021

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from pneum- + Greek konis dust — more at incinerate

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pneumoconiosis was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near pneumoconiosis

Cite this Entry

“Pneumoconiosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pneumoconiosis. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

pneumoconiosis

noun
pneu·​mo·​co·​ni·​o·​sis ˌn(y)ü-mō-ˌkō-nē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce pneumoconiosis (audio)
plural pneumoconioses -ˌsēz How to pronounce pneumoconiosis (audio)
: a disease of the lungs caused by the habitual inhalation of irritants (as mineral or metallic particles)

called also miner's asthma, miner's consumption, pneumonoconiosis

see black lung, silicosis

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