caisson disease

noun

: decompression sickness

Note: The name caisson disease stems from the occurrence of decompression sickness in individuals working on tunnel and bridge construction in underwater caissons filled with compressed air.

Examples of caisson disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Readers will be shocked to learn that Washington Roebling contracted caisson disease soon after construction began, forcing him to work from his bed while his wife worked at the site. —Michael Sangiacomo, cleveland.com, 1 May 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

caisson disease

noun

: bend entry 2 sense 3

Medical Definition

caisson disease

noun

cais·​son disease

ˈkā-ˌsän-, ˈkās-ᵊn-; British often kə-ˈsün-

: decompression sickness