melanin
noun
mel·a·nin
ˈme-lə-nən 
plural melanins
: any of various black, brown, reddish-brown, reddish-yellow, or yellow pigments of living organisms that in animals are typically produced in melanocytes by the oxidation of tyrosine followed by polymerization and are found especially in skin, hair, feathers, and eyes
Scientists know that all melanin molecules consist of long chains made mostly of derivatives of the amino acid tyrosine, but the individual units of the chain connect in random order.—
Corinna Wu
Corinna WuMelanin performs an array of functions for modern organisms, such as camouflage, photo protection, and display.—Margaret Jones
Margaret Jones
especially
: eumelanin
Tyrosinase enzymes are needed for the manufacture of melanin, the dark pigment that forms the color base of feathers. —Philip C. Whitford
Philip C. Whitford Brown spots and birthmarks contain especially high concentrations of melanin, the substance that gives skin its color. —USA Today
see also neuromelanin, pheomelanin
USA Today Examples of melanin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The challenge is that technology that relies on LEDs to project light onto the skin and photodetectors to record the amount of light reflected can have a tough time with melanin, which alters skin light absorption.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2024
To that end, some genetic variants produce more melanin, which leads to a darker color, while other genetic variants produce less melanin, which leads to lighter colored eyes, Stevens said.
—Erica Lamberg, Fox News, 4 Dec. 2023
Tranexamic acid: Can be used topically or orally; there are a multitude of studies that have shown tranexamic acid slows melanin synthesis by inhibiting the plasminogen/plasmin pathways.
—Kristine Thomason, Glamour, 8 Aug. 2023
By inspecting the heated feathers under a microscope and using a chemical assay to identify different types of melanin, the team found that biological pigments do leave a distinct and identifiable signature in fossils.
—Riley Black, Scientific American, 14 Dec. 2023
Albino animals often have red or pink eyes, because the lack of melanin allows the color of their blood vessels to shine through.
Leucism, meanwhile, is a partial loss of pigmentation and often results in splotchy or patchy coloration.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Dec. 2023
Albinism is a genetic mutation that stops the production of melanin, which creates pigment in the eyes, hair and skin.
—Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024
So does melanin, the pigment that helps determine skin, hair and eye color.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024
Black people are often excluded from studies due to the texture of their hair, receive erroneous and inaccurate readings due to the melanin content of their skin, and are severely underrepresented in neuroimaging datasets.
—De-Shaine Murray, STAT, 29 Nov. 2023
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2024
To that end, some genetic variants produce more melanin, which leads to a darker color, while other genetic variants produce less melanin, which leads to lighter colored eyes, Stevens said.
—Erica Lamberg, Fox News, 4 Dec. 2023
Tranexamic acid: Can be used topically or orally; there are a multitude of studies that have shown tranexamic acid slows melanin synthesis by inhibiting the plasminogen/plasmin pathways.
—Kristine Thomason, Glamour, 8 Aug. 2023
By inspecting the heated feathers under a microscope and using a chemical assay to identify different types of melanin, the team found that biological pigments do leave a distinct and identifiable signature in fossils.
—Riley Black, Scientific American, 14 Dec. 2023
Albino animals often have red or pink eyes, because the lack of melanin allows the color of their blood vessels to shine through.
Leucism, meanwhile, is a partial loss of pigmentation and often results in splotchy or patchy coloration.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Dec. 2023
Albinism is a genetic mutation that stops the production of melanin, which creates pigment in the eyes, hair and skin.
—Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024
So does melanin, the pigment that helps determine skin, hair and eye color.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024
Black people are often excluded from studies due to the texture of their hair, receive erroneous and inaccurate readings due to the melanin content of their skin, and are severely underrepresented in neuroimaging datasets.
—De-Shaine Murray, STAT, 29 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'melanin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near melanin
Cite this Entry
“Melanin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melanin. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
melanin
noun
mel·a·nin
ˈmel-ə-nən
: a dark brown or black animal or plant pigment that in human beings makes some skins darker than others
Etymology
derived from Greek melan-, melas "black" — related to melancholy
Medical Definition
melanin
noun
mel·a·nin
ˈmel-ə-nən
: any of various black, brown, reddish-brown, reddish-yellow, or yellow pigments of living organisms that in animals are typically produced in melanocytes by the oxidation of tyrosine followed by polymerization and are found especially in skin, hair, feathers, and eyes
Scientists know that all melanin molecules consist of long chains made mostly of derivatives of the amino acid tyrosine, but the individual units of the chain connect in random order.—Corinna Wu, Science News
Corinna Wu, Science News
especially
: eumelanin
Brown spots and birthmarks contain especially high concentrations of melanin, the substance that gives skin its color. —USA Today
USA Today Natural melanin surrounds and protects our cells not only by absorbing ultraviolet radiation, but also by scattering it and making it lose energy, rendering it harmless. —Rowann Gilman, Prevention
see also neuromelanin, pheomelanin
Rowann Gilman, Prevention Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share