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 melanoma was determined to be terminal two years ago after spreading to his liver and lungs. —David K. Li, NBC news, 4 Mar. 2026

Mellencamp Arroyave has undergone a public battle with melanoma after being diagnosed in 2022. —Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 24 Feb. 2026

The late Starstruck Entertainment executive died in August at the age of 48 after a battle with melanoma. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2026

Clarkson shares daughter River Rose and son Remington with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, who died in August at age 48 after battling melanoma. —Mariel Turner, HollywoodReporter, 20 Feb. 2026

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