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

• 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

Epstein Barr virus, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus and Human Papilloma Virus are all associated with actually causing malignancy in humans. —Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 2 Aug. 2025

However, for anyone who has observed Trump’s public life, his malignancy and malevolence have always been obvious. —Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025

Individuals at highest risk include those with chronic liver disease (such as hepatitis B or C), diabetes, immune suppression, alcohol use disorder, malignancy, renal disease, or iron overload conditions like hemochromatosis. —Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025

Grail’s test identified malignancy in 1,453 of the cancer cases, missing it in 1,370. —Siddhartha Mukherjee, New Yorker, 16 June 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