papillomavirus

noun

pap·​il·​lo·​ma·​vi·​rus ˌpa-pə-ˈlō-mə-ˌvī-rəs 

: any of a family (Papillomaviridae) of viruses that contain a single molecule of circular double-stranded DNA and cause papillomas in mammals compare human papillomavirus

Examples of papillomavirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) makes rabbits grow real horns made of keratin, mostly on their heads but sometimes on their faces. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025

According to Scientific American, papillomavirus may also cause squamous cell cancer in rabbits, which can be deadly to the animals. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025

Shope papillomavirus is known to affect only rabbits and hares, not humans or other animals, says Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW). —Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2025

What exactly is the rabbit papillomavirus? —Angela Haupt, Time, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing papillomavirus

• human papillomavirus

Rhymes for papillomavirus

• adenovirus
• baculovirus
• coronavirus
• enterovirus
• poliovirus
• antivirus
• herpesvirus
• parvovirus
• reovirus
• retrovirus
• rhinovirus
• rotavirus

Medical Definition

papillomavirus

noun

pap·​il·​lo·​ma·​vi·​rus ˌpap-ə-ˈlō-mə-ˌvī-rəs 

1

capitalized : the sole genus in a family (Papillomaviridae) of double-stranded DNA viruses that contain a single molecule of DNA, have a capsid composed of 72 capsomers, and cause papillomas in mammals

2

: any of the genus Papillomavirus of double-stranded DNA viruses