Definition of melanin
: any of various black, dark brown, reddish-brown, or yellow pigments of animal or plant structures (such as skin or hair)
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Recent Examples of melanin from the Web
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Their skins are completely white because of a lack of melanin.
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That same weekend, however, is also Washington, D.C.’s Black Pride, so the sea of melanin is an embarrassment of riches.
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Tanning is due to the production of extra melanin pigment induced by UVA rays.
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All the species showed variation in the same area, DNA that appeared to have a role in regulating genes for the pigment melanin.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'melanin'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of melanin
1843
MELANIN Defined for English Language Learners
melanin
playDefinition of melanin for English Language Learners
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: a dark brown or black substance that is a natural part of people's skin, hair, and eyes
Medical Dictionary
melanin
playMedical Definition of melanin
: any of various black, dark brown, reddish brown, or yellow pigments of animal or plant structures (as skin, hair, the choroid, or a raw potato when exposed to air); especially : any of numerous animal pigments that are essentially polymeric derivatives of indole formed by enzymatic modification of tyrosine
Learn More about melanin
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Britannica English: Translation of melanin for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about melanin
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