human papillomavirus

noun

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of human papillomavirus

: 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

Recent Examples of human papillomavirus from the Web

Since then, scientists have made headway in figuring out why HPV, the human papillomavirus, has this glaring gender bias.

— marie mccullough, chicagotribune.com, "HPV is causing an oral cancer epidemic in men by outwitting natural defenses," 12 Mar. 2018
Since then, scientists have made headway in figuring out why HPV, the human papillomavirus, has this glaring gender bias.

— marie mccullough, chicagotribune.com, "HPV is causing an oral cancer epidemic in men by outwitting natural defenses," 12 Mar. 2018
Since then, scientists have made headway in figuring out why HPV, the human papillomavirus, has this glaring gender bias.

— marie mccullough, chicagotribune.com, "HPV is causing an oral cancer epidemic in men by outwitting natural defenses," 12 Mar. 2018
Since then, scientists have made headway in figuring out why HPV, the human papillomavirus, has this glaring gender bias.

— marie mccullough, miamiherald, "Oral sex is causing an oral cancer epidemic in men by outwitting natural defenses | Miami Herald," 8 Mar. 2018
But nearly all cases of cervical cancer in the U.S. can be traced back to an infection of human papillomavirus (HPV).

— melissa minton, SELF, "The Honest Advice Erin Andrews Has for Anyone Facing a Cancer Diagnosis," 8 Mar. 2018
Other lucrative vaccines include Merck & Co.’s $2.3 billion-in-sales Gardasil, which protects against the human papillomavirus, and Sanofi’s vaccine against polio and whooping cough, also about a $2 billion-a-year business.

— Bloomberg.com, "The Flu Has Been Horrible This Year. Scientists Want to Rethink How They Make the Vaccine," 28 Feb. 2018
In addition, children aged 11-12 should receive two doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, while those older than 15 should get three doses.

— healthday, chicagotribune.com, "During mumps outbreak, third dose of the vaccine can help," 7 Feb. 2018
These factors include tobacco use, obesity and infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).

— jane e. brody, New York Times, "When Cancer Strikes Twice," 25 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'human papillomavirus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of human papillomavirus

1952

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

human papillomavirus

noun

medical Definition of human papillomavirus

: 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