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

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and UV light is a risk factor for every type, including melanoma. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and UV light is a risk factor for all types, including melanoma. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

This month biologists at the University of Vermont reported in Nature that the black melanoma is contagious, the tumor cells themselves passing from one fish to the next. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

One of the leading candidates, mRNA-4157 (V940), has shown promising clinical results in reducing melanoma recurrence when combined with immunotherapy, potentially opening an entirely new chapter in personalized cancer treatment. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 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