melanoma

noun

mel·​a·​no·​ma ˌme-lə-ˈnō-mə 

plural melanomas also melanomata ˌme-lə-ˈnō-mə-tə 

1

: a tumor containing dark pigment

2

: a highly malignant tumor that starts in melanocytes of normal skin or moles and metastasizes rapidly and widely

Examples of melanoma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Though Mellencamp's battle against melanoma has been perilous, her loved ones have been by her side. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Different cancers, like breast, glioblastoma, and melanoma, also respond differently to cannabis treatments, highlighting the need for personalized cannabinoid therapies and more research into how cannabis affects specific cancer types. —Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Over the past two years, she's had 17 different spots of melanoma removed. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025

Basal and squamous cell carcinomas usually grow slowly, while melanoma grows quickly. —Casey Gallagher, Health, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

melan- (in melanosis, melanotic) + -oma

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing melanoma

• malignant melanoma

Rhymes for melanoma

• ambystoma
• atheroma
• carcinoma
• coloboma
• granuloma
• haematoma
• hamartoma
• hemangioma
• hematoma
• hepatoma
• hybridoma
• myeloma

Kids Definition

melanoma

noun

mel·​a·​no·​ma ˌmel-ə-ˈnō-mə 

plural melanomas also melanomata -mət-ə 

: a usually malignant tumor containing dark pigment

Medical Definition

melanoma

noun

mel·​a·​no·​ma ˌmel-ə-ˈnō-mə 

plural melanomas also melanomata -mət-ə 

1

: a benign or malignant skin tumor containing dark pigment

2

: a tumor of high malignancy that starts in melanocytes of normal skin or moles and metastasizes rapidly and widely

called also malignant melanoma, melanocarcinoma, melanoepithelioma, melanosarcoma