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

Merck’s blockbuster drug Keytruda, an early immunotherapy that treats lung cancer and melanoma, among others, has $30 billion in annual sales. —Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

In the study, Perry’s team used metabolic tracers in mouse models of breast cancer and melanoma to learn how glucose—a nutrient that tumors use to fuel rapid cell division—is distributed when the body is active. —Avi Patel, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026

Her cancer journey began in 2022 with stage 2 melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer — on her back. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026

Teddi first revealed in March 2022 that she had been diagnosed with Stage 2 melanoma. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 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