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

Melanoma, the deadliest form, is expected to rise by 6% in 2025, and the incidence of melanoma in people under 30, especially women, is increasing faster than in any other age group. —Stacey Colino, Time, 9 July 2025

Having a family history of melanoma and certain physical traits, such as fair skin and a family history of melanoma, can increase your chances of having this disease. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 9 July 2025

Women are more than twice as likely as men to wear SPF despite that by age 50, men are at more of a risk of melanoma than women, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. —Sam Woodward, USA Today, 16 May 2025

Prevalence of metastatic melanoma The incidence rate of metastatic melanoma is 0.9 per 100,000 people, per data from the National Cancer Institute. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 24 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