definitions

melanoma

[ mel-uh-noh-muh ]
/ ˌmɛl əˈnoʊ mə /
|

noun, plural mel·a·no·mas, mel·a·no·ma·ta [mel-uh-noh-muh-tuh] /ˌmɛl əˈnoʊ mə tə/. Pathology.

any of several types of skin tumors characterized by the malignant growth of melanocytes.

Nearby words

melanogenesis, melanoglossia, melanoid, melanoleukoderma, melanoleukoderma colli, melanoma, melanomatosis, melanonychia, melanophage, melanophore, melanoplakia

Origin of melanoma

First recorded in 1825–35; melan- + -oma
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for melanoma

British Dictionary definitions for melanoma

melanoma

/ (ˌmɛləˈnəʊmə) /

noun plural -mas or -mata (-mətə)

pathol a malignant tumour composed of melanocytes, occurring esp in the skin, often as a result of excessive exposure to sunlight
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for melanoma

melanoma

n.

"tumor containing melanin," 1826, medical Latin, from Greek melas (genitive melanos) "black" (see melanin) + -oma.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for melanoma

melanoma

[ mĕl′ə-nō′mə ]

n. pl. mel•a•no•mas

A dark-pigmented, malignant, frequently widely metastasizing tumor arising from a melanocyte and occurring most commonly in the skin.malignant melanoma melanoblastoma melanocarcinoma melanotic carcinoma
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for melanoma

melanoma

[ mĕl′ə-nō′mə ]

Plural melanomas melanomata (mĕl′ə-nō′mə-tə)

A dark-pigmented benign or malignant tumor that arises from a melanocyte and occurs most commonly in the skin. Malignant melanoma metastasizes quickly and is associated with sun exposure.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Culture definitions for melanoma

melanoma

[ (mel-uh-noh-muh) ]

A serious, often lethal, form of skin cancer.

Note

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun (for example, by too much sunbathing) can cause this disease.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.