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

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

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