mesothelioma

noun

me·​so·​the·​li·​o·​ma ˌme-zə-ˌthē-lē-ˈō-mə How to pronounce mesothelioma (audio)
ˌmē-
-sə-
plural mesotheliomas also mesotheliomata ˌme-zə-ˌthē-lē-ˈō-mə-tə How to pronounce mesothelioma (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Payouts to mesothelioma victims can top $1 million. Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 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 For example, a recent mesothelioma diagnosis may open a new filing window for those exposed long ago. K.h. Koehler, Ascend Agency, 8 May 2026 The causal relationship between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is strong, well-established, and widely accepted. Alex Smolak, STAT, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mesothelioma

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mesothelioma was circa 1899

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Cite this Entry

“Mesothelioma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mesothelioma. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

plural mesotheliomas also mesotheliomata -mət-ə How to pronounce mesothelioma (audio)
: a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue (as that lining the peritoneum or pleura)

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