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

The 39-year-old opened up on social media about having a melanoma spot removed. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 27 June 2024

There are three major types — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 June 2024

White people are more likely to develop melanoma than Black people, but Black people do develop the disease, and it is often caught too late because individuals and their doctors tend not to look for it as vigilantly, according to Rogers. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 22 July 2024

And since tweens are starting to understand the importance of wearing sunscreen every day to prevent melanoma, there can be health benefits, too. —Dianna Mazzone Singh, Allure, 20 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

melan- (in melanosis, melanotic) + -oma

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing melanoma

• malignant melanoma

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