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

Examples of human papillomavirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Most cervical cancer screenings involve testing for human papillomavirus or HPV, as most cervical cancers are caused by the virus. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 5 Sep. 2024 One such vaccine, whose prototype was approved by the FDA in 2006, is in wide use today to prevent the most serious forms of cancer caused by the human papillomavirus. Nbc Universal, NBC News, 7 July 2023 One of the first tests that allows patients to self-collect samples to screen for human papillomavirus (HPV) will soon be available in doctors' offices. Sony Salzman, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2024 For example, studies of flares among people with lupus receiving the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine have found that between zero and 13% of patients experienced a flare, but that flares tended to be mild or moderate. Markham Heid, TIME, 8 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for human papillomavirus 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'human papillomavirus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of human papillomavirus was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near human papillomavirus

Cite this Entry

“Human papillomavirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20papillomavirus. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

human papillomavirus

noun
: a double-stranded DNA virus of the genus Papillomavirus (species Human papillomavirus) that has numerous genotypes causing various human warts (as the common warts of the extremities, plantar warts, and genital warts) including some associated with the production of cervical cancer

called also HPV

More from Merriam-Webster on human papillomavirus

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!