1. to develop or produce melanin; to become dark or darkened by melanin deposition
Usage: biology; third person singular present tense of melanize

Examples

• The skin melanizes when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
• As the organism develops, its exoskeleton gradually melanizes.
• The fungus melanizes its cell walls in response to stress.
• Certain insects melanize their wings during metamorphosis.
• The tissue melanizes to protect against sun damage.