cancer

noun

can·​cer ˈkan(t)-sər 

1

capitalized

a

: a northern zodiacal constellation between Gemini and Leo

b(1)

: the fourth sign of the zodiac in astrology see Signs of the Zodiac Table

(2)

: one born under the sign of Cancer

I'm a Taurus, but my best friend is a Cancer.

2

[Latin, crab, cancer]

a

: a malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by invasion and systemically by metastasis

b

: an abnormal bodily state marked by such tumors

3

: something evil or malignant that spreads destructively

the cancer of hidden resentment

—Irish Digest

4

a

: an enlarged tumorlike plant growth (such as that of crown gall)

b

: a plant disease marked by such growths

cancerous

ˈkan(t)s-rəs 

ˈkan(t)-sə-

adjective

cancerously adverb

Did you know?

The Latin word cancer, meaning “crab,” was also given as a name to several diseases. One of the diseases was the abnormal, spreading mass of tissue we call a tumor. A possible explanation for this extended use of cancer is that the Romans thought some tumors looked like many-legged crabs. A French descendant of this Latin word was borrowed into English as canker. It is now applied to several plant and animal disorders. In the 14th century the Latin word cancer in the sense of “tumor” was borrowed directly into English, giving us our modern spelling and sense.

Examples of cancer in a Sentence

He was diagnosed with cancer.

She learned that she has cancer.

Eating certain foods may help reduce the risk of cancer.

Advanced cancers are more difficult to treat.

I'm a Taurus, but my best friend is a Cancer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Colonoscopy and prostate cancer screening were associated with living 37 days longer, and lung cancer screening was linked to a 107 bump in longevity. —Julia Landwehr, Health, 22 Sep. 2023

Fans flocked to the icon’s trademark feel-good sound following his passing of complications from skin cancer. —Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 21 Sep. 2023

There is also emotionally abusive first love and a young man experiencing a cancer scare. —Claire Beermann, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2023

At the time, the discovery of gene-editing tools such as CRISPR was raising hopes for novel cancer cures and possible treatments for hereditary diseases long considered incurable. —Cate Brown, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023

The overall lifetime cancer risk (per million) from toxins associated with traffic is 2.9 times higher when comparing neighborhoods closest and farthest away from a highway, according to the NATA. —Mark Nichols, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2023

And their worries aren’t unfounded: Research shows a link between sitting for long periods and increased blood pressure, unhealthy levels of cholesterol and higher risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease. —Jenni Gritters, wsj.com, 20 Sep. 2023

Globally, research has linked dust pollution from desiccated lakes like the Aral Sea to sickness from allergies, fungal infections, asthma, diarrhea and cancer. —Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023

Dana-Farber joins at least a half-dozen prestigious cancer centers that have announced similar construction plans. —Globe Columnist, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin (genitive Cancri), literally, crab; akin to Greek karkinos crab, cancer

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cancer

• small-cell lung cancer
• cancer stick

• small-cell lung cancer
• cancer stick

Kids Definition

cancer

noun

can·​cer ˈkan(t)-sər 

1

capitalized : a group of stars between Gemini and Leo usually pictured as a crab

2

capitalized

a

: the fourth sign of the zodiac see zodiac

b

: a person whose sign of the zodiac is Cancer

3

: a tumor that tends to spread locally and to other parts of the body and often causes death if not treated

also : an abnormal state marked by such tumors

4

: a dangerous evil that destroys slowly

cancerous

ˈkan(t)s-(ə-)rəs 

adjective

Etymology

Middle English Cancer "'Crab' star group," from Latin cancer "crab, cancer (disease)"; sense 3 directly from Latin cancer "crab, cancer" — related to canker, chancre

Word Origin

The Latin word cancer, meaning "crab," was also given as a name to several diseases. One of the diseases was the abnormal, spreading mass of tissue we call a tumor. A possible explanation for this extended use of cancer is that the Romans thought some tumors looked like many-legged crabs. A French descendant of this Latin word was borrowed into English as canker. It is now applied to several plant and animal disorders. In the 14th century the Latin word cancer in the sense of "tumor" was borrowed directly into English, giving us our modern spelling and sense.

Medical Definition

cancer

noun

can·​cer ˈkan(t)-sər 

1

: a malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by invasion and systemically by metastasis

2

: an abnormal state marked by a cancer

cancerous

ˈkan(t)s-(ə-)rəs 

adjective