melanoma

noun

mel·​a·​no·​ma ˌme-lə-ˈnō-mə How to pronounce melanoma (audio)
plural melanomas also melanomata ˌme-lə-ˈnō-mə-tə How to pronounce melanoma (audio)
Synonyms of melanomanext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mellencamp, 45, was initially diagnosed with melanoma that spread. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026 In his 2025 memoir, Vagabond, the late actor opened up about the death of his mother, Patricia Curry, at the age of 80 from melanoma in the summer of 1999. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 Interim data from a large trial showed the experimental vaccine, when combined with Merck's blockbuster immunotherapy Keytruda, helped reduce the risk of melanoma recurrence and spread in patients whose tumors have been surgically removed. — Mariam Sunny, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 The rest of the world remained skeptical until last Wednesday, when Moderna and Merck revealed that a 1,137-volunteer study had shown the vaccine reduced the odds that melanoma that had been surgically removed would return or spread. — Jason Mast, STAT, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for melanoma

Word History

Etymology

melan- (in melanosis, melanotic) + -oma

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of melanoma was in 1838

Phrases Containing melanoma

Rhymes for melanoma

See All Rhymes for melanoma

Browse Nearby Words

melanogenesis
melanoma
Melanophila
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Melanoma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melanoma. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

melanoma

noun
mel·​a·​no·​ma ˌmel-ə-ˈnō-mə How to pronounce melanoma (audio)
plural melanomas also melanomata -mət-ə How to pronounce melanoma (audio)
: a usually malignant tumor containing dark pigment

Medical Definition

melanoma

noun
mel·​a·​no·​ma ˌmel-ə-ˈnō-mə How to pronounce melanoma (audio)
plural melanomas also melanomata -mət-ə How to pronounce melanoma (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on melanoma

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for melanoma

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about melanoma

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