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

Doctors have since linked the two diagnoses to the same strain of HPV, or human papillomavirus. —Colson Thayer, People.com, 3 Oct. 2024

Read More: What to Expect at a Mammogram People often confuse the procedure with a human papillomavirus (HPV) test or a pelvic exam. —Chantelle Lee, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024

The study also cited cancer risk from infections such as hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr virus, HIV, human papillomavirus and Kaposi sarcoma herpes virus. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 12 July 2024

In 2008, Harald zur Hausen, a German virologist, won the Nobel Prize for his research demonstrating that cervical cancer in humans is caused by certain types of human papillomavirus, or HPV. —Sam Tupper, CNN, 16 Oct. 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