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

But when women lack access to screening tools like human papillomavirus (HPV) tests and pap smears, survival rates for late-stage diagnosis plummet to below 20%. —Jennifer Lotito, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

The virus is related to the human papillomavirus, but SPV is not currently known to affect humans, although experts still advise that humans should stay away from any wild rabbits with the virus. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025

His research proved that a virus could cause cancer in a mammal, laying the groundwork for later studies linking human papillomavirus (HPV) to cervical cancer and helping guide the development of HPV vaccines. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2025

It has since been used as a model to help scientists study the human papillomavirus, or HPV, which can similarly cause genital warts and lead to certain types of cancer. —Angela Haupt, Time, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for human papillomavirus

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

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