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
Over the years, she’s documented her journey having more than 17 different spots of melanoma removed.
—
Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
This type of discoloration is most prevalent in the thumb, index finger, and big toe, Basile says, and can indicate melanoma of the nail.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
There is a changing dark streak on the nail, which could be a sign of melanoma (a type of skin cancer).
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 18 Feb. 2025
My son was about to graduate from high school and my father-in-law was battling melanoma.
—Lynn Hill, Outside Online, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melanoma
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Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
This type of discoloration is most prevalent in the thumb, index finger, and big toe, Basile says, and can indicate melanoma of the nail.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
There is a changing dark streak on the nail, which could be a sign of melanoma (a type of skin cancer).
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 18 Feb. 2025
My son was about to graduate from high school and my father-in-law was battling melanoma.
—Lynn Hill, Outside Online, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melanoma
Cite this Entry
“Melanoma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melanoma. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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