Definition

A lung disease caused by breathing in dust, especially from minerals or metals, over a long time.

Example

Workers in certain industries are at risk of developing pneumoconiosis due to dust exposure.

Conversation

Have you heard about pneumoconiosis?

Yeah, I read about it in an article recently.

It's scary how it can develop from just breathing in dust over time.

I know! It's a serious condition that we should be aware of.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Pneumoconiosis is formed from "pneumo-" (from Greek "pneuma", meaning air or breath), "conio-" (from Greek "konis", meaning dust), and "-osis" (a suffix used in medical terminology to denote a condition or disease). The word describes a condition caused by the inhalation of dust, particularly in the lungs, leading to respiratory issues.

Memory Tip

Think of 'air' ('pneumo-') and 'dust' ('conio-') coming together to create a 'condition' ('-osis') affecting the lungs. This helps you remember that pneumoconiosis is a disease related to dust in the air.

Visually Confused Words