human papillomavirus
noun
: any of numerous papillomaviruses (as of the genera Alphapapillomavirus, Betapapillomavirus, and Gammapapillomavirus) that cause various human papillomas (such as genital warts and plantar warts) and include some associated with the production of human cancer
—abbreviation HPV
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Lung, stomach and cervical cancers accounted for nearly half of the cases that were linked to modifiable risks, with many linked to viruses and bacteria like the human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and Helicobacter pylori (a common bacterium that infects the stomach lining).
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Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Some of those risk factors include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, insufficient physical activity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation and infections like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Epstein–Barr virus and human papillomavirus, or HPV.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
In fact, most cervical cancers are caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can live in the body for years without symptoms and can often be prevented with the HPV vaccine.
—Essence, 27 Jan. 2026
Both schedules recommend that all children be vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV) and varicella (better known as chickenpox).
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
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Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Some of those risk factors include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, insufficient physical activity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation and infections like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Epstein–Barr virus and human papillomavirus, or HPV.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
In fact, most cervical cancers are caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can live in the body for years without symptoms and can often be prevented with the HPV vaccine.
—Essence, 27 Jan. 2026
Both schedules recommend that all children be vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV) and varicella (better known as chickenpox).
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for human papillomavirus
Cite this Entry
“Human papillomavirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20papillomavirus. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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