malignancy

noun

ma·​lig·​nan·​cy mə-ˈlig-nən(t)-sē 

plural malignancies

1

: the quality or state of being malignant

2

a

: exhibition (as by a tumor) of malignant qualities : virulence

b

: a malignant tumor

Synonyms of malignancy

• malice
• venom
• hatred
• cruelty

Examples of malignancy in a Sentence

the malignancy of the tumor

The test revealed a malignancy in the patient's chest.

Recent Examples on the Web

Her doctors are determining if the malignancy was caught early. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026

And while treatments have improved dramatically, the long-term consequences — cardiotoxicity, neuropathy, second malignancies, metabolic disruption — threaten the very longevity patients hope to gain. —Gilberto Lopes, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026

An effective treatment for pancreatic cancer would represent a major advance against one of the most lethal malignancies. —IEEE Spectrum, 22 Dec. 2025

The researchers will now investigate its efficacy in breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma and other malignancies, and fine tune delivery and dosage methods. —New Atlas, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

malignancy

noun

ma·​lig·​nan·​cy mə-ˈlig-nən-sē 

plural malignancies

1

: the quality or state of being malignant

2

: a malignant tumor

Medical Definition

malignancy

noun

ma·​lig·​nan·​cy mə-ˈlig-nən-sē 

plural malignancies

1

: the quality or state of being malignant

2

a

: exhibition (as by a tumor) of malignant qualities : virulence

b

: a malignant tumor