sarcoma

noun

sar·​co·​ma sär-ˈkō-mə How to pronounce sarcoma (audio)
plural sarcomas also sarcomata sär-ˈkō-mə-tə How to pronounce sarcoma (audio)
: a malignant tumor arising in tissue (such as connective tissue, bone, cartilage, or striated muscle) of mesodermal origin see also ewing's sarcoma, kaposi's sarcoma, osteosarcoma, rous sarcoma
sarcomatous adjective
sarcomatous tumors

Examples of sarcoma 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.
Diamond had been diagnosed with an inoperable sarcoma, a rare kind of cancer, according to his family. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2025 There are even some rare forms of skin cancer, such as Merkel cell carcinoma and Kaposi sarcoma, that are primarily virus-driven, notes Nghiem. Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025 The Kristen Ann Carr Fund, supported by major artists and executives, was established in her sister’s memory to advance sarcoma research and support families affected by cancer. Thom Duffy, Billboard, 2 Jan. 2025 He was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer, at age 12, but his psychological challenges really only started three years later. Simar Bajaj, NBC News, 29 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for sarcoma

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin sarcōmat-, sarcōma "fleshy excrescence, tumor," borrowed from Greek sárkōma "fleshy excrescence," from sarkō-, stem of sarkoûn "to make fleshy, (middle voice) to become fleshy" (verbal derivative of sark-, sárx "flesh, piece of meat") + -ma, resultative noun suffix — more at sarco-

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sarcoma was in 1804

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sarcoma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sarcoma. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

sarcoma

noun
sar·​co·​ma sär-ˈkō-mə How to pronounce sarcoma (audio)
plural sarcomas also sarcomata -mət-ə How to pronounce sarcoma (audio)
: a malignant tumor arising in tissue of mesodermal origin (as connective tissue, bone, cartilage, or striated muscle) that spreads by extension into neighboring tissue or by way of the bloodstream see also ewing's sarcoma, kaposi's sarcoma, osteosarcoma, rous sarcoma, spindle-cell sarcoma compare carcinoma

More from Merriam-Webster on sarcoma

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!