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mesothelioma

American

[mez-uh-thee-lee-oh-muh, mes-, mee-zuh-, -suh-] / ˌmɛz əˌθi liˈoʊ mə, ˌmɛs-, ˈmi zə-, -sə- /

noun

Pathology.

plural

mesotheliomas, mesotheliomata

a malignant tumor of the covering of the lung or the lining of the pleural and abdominal cavities, often associated with exposure to asbestos.

mesothelioma British

/ ˌmɛzəʊˌθiːlɪˈəʊmə /

noun

a tumour of the epithelium lining the lungs, abdomen, or heart: often associated with exposure to asbestos dust

"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

Etymology

Origin of mesothelioma

First recorded in 1905–10; mesotheli(um) + -oma

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Asbestos lawsuits have helped to provide some compensation to mesothelioma victims.

From Slate • Apr. 27, 2026

The UK has the highest incidence of mesothelioma in the world, with around 2,700 people diagnosed each year – about 50 of those are in Northern Ireland.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

Payouts to mesothelioma victims can top $1 million.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

The Maryland woman, Cherie Craft, claimed Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder exposed her to asbestos, leading to her diagnosis of mesothelioma in January 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

They allege that either they or a family member developed forms of ovarian cancer or mesothelioma from using J&J's Baby Powder.

From Barron's • Oct. 16, 2025

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023