melanogenesis

noun

me·​la·​no·​gen·​e·​sis mə-ˌla-nə-ˈje-nə-səs How to pronounce melanogenesis (audio)
ˌme-lə-nō-
: the formation of melanin

Examples of melanogenesis 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.
For skin lightening to work, melanogenesis—the process to synthesize melanin—must be inhibited. —Kang-Chun Cheng, Quartz, 11 Aug. 2021

Word History

Etymology

melano- + genesis, after French mélanogénèse

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of melanogenesis was in 1909

Dictionary Entries Near melanogenesis

Melanogaster

melanogenesis

melanoma

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Melanogenesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melanogenesis. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

melanogenesis

noun
me·​la·​no·​gen·​e·​sis mə-ˌlan-ə-ˈjen-ə-səs How to pronounce melanogenesis (audio) ˌmel-ə-nō- How to pronounce melanogenesis (audio)
plural melanogeneses -ˌsēz How to pronounce melanogenesis (audio)
: the formation of melanin
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Is That Gratitude or Attitude? A Thanksgiving Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...