metastasis
noun
me·tas·ta·sis
mə-ˈta-stə-səs 
plural metastases
mə-ˈta-stə-ˌsēz
1
a
: change of position, state, or form
b
: the spread of a disease-producing agency (such as cancer cells) from the initial or primary site of disease to another part of the body
metastasis of breast cancer to bone—
Medical Physics
Medical Physics
also
: the process by which such spreading occurs
2
: a secondary malignant (see malignant sense 1) tumor resulting from metastasis
Examples of metastasis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Imaging studies: Computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or positron emission tomography (PET) scans can help detect cancerous tumors and metastasis.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 18 July 2025
Wu, a neuroscientist, had a nearly 40-year career including nearly two decades at Northwestern, according to the complaint, which said her lab researched tumor development and metastasis, in addition to efforts to fight neurodegenerative diseases.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC news, 12 July 2025
Lung metastasis refers to any cancer that begins in one part of the body and spreads to another – in the case of McMahon, head and neck metastatic cancer, the report reveals.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 11 July 2025
This is called secondary liver cancer or liver metastases.
—Tim Ryan, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for metastasis
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.
Carrie Madormo, Health, 18 July 2025
Wu, a neuroscientist, had a nearly 40-year career including nearly two decades at Northwestern, according to the complaint, which said her lab researched tumor development and metastasis, in addition to efforts to fight neurodegenerative diseases.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC news, 12 July 2025
Lung metastasis refers to any cancer that begins in one part of the body and spreads to another – in the case of McMahon, head and neck metastatic cancer, the report reveals.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 11 July 2025
This is called secondary liver cancer or liver metastases.
—Tim Ryan, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for metastasis
Cite this Entry
“Metastasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metastasis. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
metastasis
noun
me·tas·ta·sis
mə-ˈtas-tə-səs
plural metastases
-ˌsēz
1
: the spread of something that produces disease (as cancer cells) from the original location of disease to another part of the body
2
: a growth of a malignant tumor in another part of the body resulting from metastasis
Medical Definition
metastasis
noun
me·tas·ta·sis
mə-ˈtas-tə-səs
plural metastases
-ˌsēz
1
a
: change of position, state, or form
b
: the spread of a disease-producing agent (as cancer cells or bacteria) or disease from the initial or primary site of disease to another part of the body
The overwhelming concern about prostate cancer is its potential for metastasis—for cells to escape the gland and take root in lymph nodes, bones, lungs, skin, or other tissue.—Tom Alexander, Fortune
Tom Alexander, Fortune
also
: the process by which such spreading occurs
2
: a secondary malignant tumor resulting from metastasis
… radiation has no known effect on distant metastases from breast cancer …—David Plotkin, The Atlantic Monthly
David Plotkin, The Atlantic MonthlyLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share