'silicosis' originates from New Latin/Modern medical Latin, specifically the element 'silic-' (from Latin 'silex, silicis' meaning 'flint' or 'hard stone', used for silica) combined with the Greek suffix '-osis' meaning 'disease or condition'.

'silicosis' was formed in New Latin by combining Latin 'silic-' (related to 'silex, silicis') and Greek '-osis'; the term entered English in the late 19th century as a medical name for the disease caused by silica dust.

Initially it referred generally to a condition caused by silica; over time it has remained specialized to denote the specific lung fibrosis caused by inhalation of silica dust.