cancer
noun
can·cer
| \ ˈkan(t)-sər
\
\
Definition of cancer
1 capitalized
a
: a northern zodiacal constellation between Gemini and Leo
b(1)
: the fourth sign of the zodiac in astrology — see Signs of the Zodiac Table
(2)
: one born under the sign of Cancer
I'm a Taurus, but my best friend is a Cancer.
2 [ Latin, crab, cancer ]
a
: a malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by invasion and systemically by metastasis
b
: an abnormal bodily state marked by such tumors
3
: something evil or malignant that spreads destructively
the cancer of hidden resentment — Irish Digest
4a
: an enlarged tumorlike plant growth (such as that of crown gall)
b
: a plant disease marked by such growths
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Other Words from cancer
cancerous
\ ˈkan(t)s-rəs
, ˈkan(t)-sə- \
adjective
, ˈkan(t)-sə- \
adjective
cancerously
adverb
Examples of cancer in a Sentence
He was diagnosed with cancer.
She learned that she has cancer.
Eating certain foods may help reduce the risk of cancer.
Advanced cancers are more difficult to treat.
I'm a Taurus, but my best friend is a Cancer.
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Recent Examples on the Web
The trophy was first awarded in 1967; it was later named for the game’s iconic coach, who died of cancer at age fifty-seven. — Rich Cohen, Harper's magazine, "The Wood Chipper," 19 Aug. 2019 The town and its environs have the worst rates of cancer in Kosovo, possibly because of factory fumes. — The Economist, "Confessions of an Islamic State fighter," 16 Aug. 2019 The legislation included more types of cancer as occupational diseases for firefighters. — Joshua Bowling, azcentral, "Court gives Goodyear firefighter with cancer 2nd chance to get workers' compensation," 16 Aug. 2019 Some were published, and the negatives from that weekend were filed away at his Milwaukee home and barely mentioned as Goff raised two daughters, changed careers and, last November, died of cancer. — Michael Hill, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee man's Woodstock photos are displayed for 1st time, 50 years later," 15 Aug. 2019 Biden also evolved into a beloved elder statesman for many Democrats during those years, particularly after the 2015 death of his son Beau, who succumbed to brain cancer at age 46. — Bill Barrow, The Denver Post, "Biden is still the Democrat to beat, but rivals see weakness," 10 Aug. 2019 The third, Susan Atkins, died of brain cancer in 2009 at age 61. — Constance Grady, Vox, "The evolving mythology of the “Manson girls”," 8 Aug. 2019 Patrick Waddell lost his wife to colon cancer in 2016. — Drew Kann, CNN, "Seesaws, a priceless ring and an incredible science fair project," 3 Aug. 2019 In 1973, Ted Kennedy’s 12-year-old son Edward Jr. lost a leg to bone cancer. — Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, "Death of Saoirse Kennedy Hill is the latest in a long list of tragedies for the Kennedy family," 2 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cancer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for cancer
cancer
noun
English Language Learners Definition of cancer
: a serious disease caused by cells that are not normal and that can spread to one or many parts of the body
: something bad or dangerous that causes other bad things to happen
: the fourth sign of the zodiac that comes between Gemini and Leo and has a crab as its symbol
See the full definition for cancer in the English Language Learners Dictionary
cancer
noun
can·cer
| \ ˈkan-sər
\
\
Kids Definition of cancer
: a serious sometimes deadly disease characterized by the growth of abnormal cells that form tumors which may damage or destroy normal body tissue
cancer
noun
can·cer
| \ ˈkan(t)-sər
\
\
Medical Definition of cancer
1
: a malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by invasion and systemically by metastasis
2
: an abnormal state marked by a cancer
Other Words from cancer
cancerous
\ ˈkan(t)s-(ə-)rəs
\
adjective
\
adjective
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