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

This not only includes breast cancers, but also thyroid, melanoma, lymphoma, cervical, ovarian and even lung cancers. —Carolyn Bhakta, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025

Some cancers like melanoma, cervical, stomach, myeloma, and bone and joint cancers showed increases only in younger populations. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025

For example, tattoo pigment may obscure early skin cancers like melanomas or interfere with lymph node evaluations during cancer staging. —Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

While melanomas can be smaller, a larger diameter is a common indicator. —Sarah Jividen, Health, 13 June 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