melanocyte

noun

me·​la·​no·​cyte mə-ˈla-nə-ˌsīt 

ˈme-lə-nō-

plural melanocytes

: a cell (as of the skin, eye, or hair follicle) that produces melanin

an epidermal melanocyte

The choroid also contains numerous pigment-producing melanocytes that give it a brownish black appearance.

—John Hole

Melanocytes, the body's pigment cells, generally do good, not harm. They give our skin its natural color and, when struck by the sun, churn out additional pigment (or melanin) to darken and protect us.

—Claudia Kalb

The number of Americans diagnosed with melanoma, a cancer of the melanocytes, or pigmented cells of the skin, has increased steadily for decades.

—Gina Kolata

see melanosome compare melanophore

Examples of melanocyte in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The team studied melanocyte stem cells, the cells that give hair and skin their color, using mouse models and tissue samples. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025

Friedman says the body's inflammatory response — meant to heal the wound — can also damage pigment cells in the skin, known as melanocytes. —Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025

Moles, which occur when pigment cells called melanocytes cluster together, are very common. —Carrie Madormo, Health, 7 Aug. 2025

The cream itself is one-size-fits-all: a 5% hydroquinone formula that also features vitamin C and niacinamide; vitamin C inhibits tyrosinase while niacinamide keeps new pigment from melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) from reaching the surface of your skin. —Marci Robin, Allure, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

melano- + -cyte

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing melanocyte

• melanocyte-stimulating hormone

Rhymes for melanocyte

• actinolite
• adipocyte
• amphibolite
• anorthosite
• anthophyllite
• aragonite
• carbonatite
• cassiterite
• cristobalite
• crocidolite
• diatomite
• dithionite

Kids Definition

melanocyte

noun

me·​la·​no·​cyte mə-ˈlan-ə-ˌsīt 

ˈmel-ə-nō-

: a body cell (as in the skin) that produces or contains melanin

Medical Definition

melanocyte

noun

me·​la·​no·​cyte mə-ˈlan-ə-ˌsīt  ˈmel-ə-nō- 

: a cell (as of the skin, eye, or hair follicle) that produces melanin see melansome compare melanophore