mesothelioma

noun

me·​so·​the·​li·​o·​ma ˌme-zə-ˌthē-lē-ˈō-mə 

ˌmē-, 

-sə-

plural mesotheliomas also mesotheliomata ˌme-zə-ˌthē-lē-ˈō-mə-tə 

ˌmē-, 

-sə-

: a usually malignant tumor derived from mesothelial tissue (such as that lining the peritoneum or pleura)

Examples of mesothelioma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The substance can cause lung scarring, lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer that develops in the tissues lining the lungs, heart and abdomen. — Miceala Morano, Arkansas Online, 8 July 2026

The causal relationship between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is strong, well-established, and widely accepted. — Alex Smolak, STAT, 27 June 2026

Rainey died of mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer, surrounded by family in her Walnut Creek home. — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 23 June 2026

Most cases of mesothelioma are believed to be the result of asbestos exposure, says the National Cancer Institute. — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mesothelioma

• astrocytoma
• glioblastoma
• leiomyoma
• meningioma
• neuroblastoma
• adenocarcinoma
• choriocarcinoma
• pheochromocytoma
• ambystoma
• atheroma
• carcinoma
• coloboma

Medical Definition

mesothelioma

noun

me·​so·​the·​li·​o·​ma ˌmez-ə-ˌthē-lē-ˈō-mə, ˌmēz-, ˌmēs-, ˌmes- 

plural mesotheliomas also mesotheliomata -mət-ə 

: a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue (as that lining the peritoneum or pleura)