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
Those who use tanning beds before the age of 20 have a nearly 50% higher risk of melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer - according to one major analysis.
—
Will Stone, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Before then, it was thought that indoor tanners were about 75% percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned indoors, and that just one session in a tanning bed could increase the risk by 20 percent.
—Tori Crowther, Allure, 19 Mar. 2026
Using tanning beds before age 20 can increase the risk of developing melanoma by nearly 50%, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
Since the early 2000s, there have been over 120 promising clinical trials testing the use of mRNA vaccines to treat multiple cancer types, such as melanoma, brain, breast, lung and prostate cancer.
—Dannell D. Boatman, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for melanoma
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Will Stone, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Before then, it was thought that indoor tanners were about 75% percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned indoors, and that just one session in a tanning bed could increase the risk by 20 percent.
—Tori Crowther, Allure, 19 Mar. 2026
Using tanning beds before age 20 can increase the risk of developing melanoma by nearly 50%, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
Since the early 2000s, there have been over 120 promising clinical trials testing the use of mRNA vaccines to treat multiple cancer types, such as melanoma, brain, breast, lung and prostate cancer.
—Dannell D. Boatman, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for melanoma
Cite this Entry
“Melanoma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melanoma. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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