DEFINITIONS

metastasize

[ muh-tas-tuh-sahyz ]
/ məˈtæs təˌsaɪz /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR metastasize ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), me·tas·ta·sized, me·tas·ta·siz·ing.

Pathology. (of malignant cells or disease-producing organisms) to spread to other parts of the body by way of the blood or lymphatic vessels or membranous surfaces.
to spread injuriously: Street gangs have metastasized in our city.
to transform, especially into a dangerous form: The KGB metastasized after the fall of the Soviet Union. Truth metastasized into lurid fantasy.

Words related to metastasize

permeate, drain, clean, leak, winnow, sift, refine, percolate, penetrate, trickle, dribble, clarify, screen, purify, distill, strain, ooze, escape, sieve, exude

Words nearby metastasize

metasoma, metasomatism, metastable, metastasio, metastasis, metastasize, metastatic abscess, metastatic calcification, metatag, metatarsal, metatarsal arch
Also especially British, me·tas·ta·sise.

Origin of metastasize

First recorded in 1905–10; metastas(is) + -ize
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for metastasize

British Dictionary definitions for metastasize

metastasize

metastasise

/ (mɪˈtæstəˌsaɪz) /

verb (intr)

pathol (esp of cancer cells) to spread to a new site in the body via blood or lymph vessels
(of a problem) to deteriorate or spread into new areas
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

Medicine definitions for metastasize

metastasize
[ mə-tăs′tə-sīz′ ]

v.

To be transmitted or transferred by or as if by metastasis.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for metastasize

metastasis
[ mə-tăs′tə-sĭs ]

A cancerous tumor formed by transmission of malignant cells from a primary cancer located elsewhere in the body.

Other words from metastasis

metastasize verb
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.