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

In 2024, after being diagnosed with Stage IIIC melanoma, Ryzyk had decided to join the study of intismeran at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). — Time, 12 Nov. 2026

His wealth surge followed news that Moderna and pharmaceutical company Merck’s mRNA cancer vaccine hit its goals in a Phase 3 trial targeting melanoma, sending Moderna’s stock soaring more than 100%. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2026

Jaime recently met an oncologist and underwent blood work to check whether melanoma had spread elsewhere. — Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026

Encouraging results in melanoma are why shares are up almost four-fold since mid-August. — Kevin Stankiewicz,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 6 Nov. 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