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

Teddi Mellencamp is sharing good news amid years of removing 17 different spots of melanoma. —Charna Flam, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024

In 2021 Vitale was diagnosed with melanoma and then lymphoma. —Zach Powell, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024

This breakthrough approach has become an invaluable therapeutic for several advanced forms of cancer, including melanoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

Following his diagnosis, Carter’s melanoma was treated with immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab, which had only been FDA-approved the previous year. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

melan- (in melanosis, melanotic) + -oma

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing melanoma

• malignant melanoma

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