pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

How to pronounce

pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is a word that is difficult to pronounce, even for native English speakers. But don't worry! With a few simple steps, you can learn how to say it correctly.

American Pronunciation: /njuːˌmɒnoʊˌʌltrəˌmaɪkrɒˌskɒpɪkˌsɪlɪkoʊˌvɒlkənoʊˌkəʊnɪˈoʊsɪs/
British Pronunciation: /njuːˌmɒnəʊˌʌltrəˌmaɪkrəʊˌskɒpɪkˌsɪlɪkəʊˌvɒlkənəʊˌkəʊnɪˈəʊsɪs/
IPA Notation:
- American: /njuːˌmoʊnoʊˌʌltrəˌmaɪkrɒˌskɒpɪkˌsɪlɪkoʊˌvɒlkənoʊˌkoʊniˈoʊsɪs/
- British: /njuːˌmɒnəʊˌʌltrəˌmaɪkrəʊˌskɒpɪkˌsɪlɪkəʊˌvɒlkənəʊˌkəʊnɪˈəʊsɪs/

Pronouncing this word is quite the feat, involving breaking it down into its composite parts: pneumo- (related to lungs), -ultra- (extreme), -microscopic (extremely small), -silico- (involving silicon), -volcano- (relating to volcanic matter), -coniosis (a condition caused by dust inhalation).

First, break the word down into syllables: pneu-mo-no-ul-tra-mi-cro-scop-ic-si-li-co-vol-ca-no-co-ni-o-sis.

Finally, put it all together and practice saying the word. Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. It may take a few tries, but with some practice, you'll be able to pronounce it correctly!

Definition of

pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is a type of pneumoconiosis, a lung disease caused by the inhalation of very fine silicate or quartz dust. This condition is especially relevant to workers in mining, quarrying, or other occupations with exposure to silica dust, leading to inflammation and scarring in the lungs that can affect breathing capacity.

What does it mean

pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

The word was coined in 1935 by the president of the National Puzzlers' League, Everett M. Smith, as a deliberate attempt to create the longest word in the English language. It gained fame when it was published in the New York Herald Tribune the same year, and later, it was included in the Oxford English Dictionary. Despite its origin as a constructed term, it has been used in medical contexts to refer to a real health condition. The word serves as both a linguistic curiosity and a reminder of occupational health risks associated with airborne particulate matter.