black lung

noun

1. pneumoconiosis of coal miners, caused by coal dust; anthracosis.

black lung

noun

1. another name for pneumoconiosis

black lung

1. An occupational disease of coal miners caused by the long-term inhalation of coal dust, characterized by the presence of coal around the bronchioles on x-ray images. Most patients develop no symptoms, but a few advance to progressive obstruction of the airways and destruction of lung tissue with accompanying shortness of breath and eventual respiratory disability.

black lung

1. A chronic disease of the lungs caused by inhaling coal dust over long periods. Common among coal miners, black lung is an example of an occupational disease .

Word History and Origins

Origin of black lung¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

And yes, as it happens, his father died of black lung before he hit 60.

From The Daily Beast

Now, you have this here black lung, which affects 500 men a year.

From The Daily Beast

The permanent inhalation of such an atmosphere results in what is termed the “black lung.”

From Project Gutenberg