human papillomavirus

noun

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

Examples of human papillomavirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Vietnamese American women experience the highest rates of cervical cancer, possibly linked to human papillomavirus. — Claire Wang, NBC News, 7 June 2022 As part of the program, the clinic focused on getting teens and preteens in for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series. — Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2022 The human papillomavirus is known for causing almost all cervical cancers, and a vaccine for HPV is often touted as a way to prevent those cancers. — AZCentral.com, 5 May 2022 Wiener said the bill falls in line with current state law that gives minors 12 and older the ability to make reproductive healthcare decisions, such as obtaining the human papillomavirus and hepatitis B vaccines. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2022 Take human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer and genital warts. — Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 17 Nov. 2021 Vaccines which are currently not considered under SB277 include the flu vaccine, the vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus, or HPV vaccine, and the Covid-19 vaccine. — Nina Shapiro, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2021 The other half of the prize was given to German virologist Harald zur Hausen, for discovering that human papillomavirus can cause cervical cancer. — Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2022 For example, vaccines for human papillomavirus and tetanus induce stronger immunity than the diseases themselves. — Daniel Funke, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2021 See More

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.

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Last Updated

24 Jul 2022

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“Human papillomavirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20papillomavirus. Accessed 11 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for human papillomavirus

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