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

They're caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.13 13. —Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2025

Jemal said this is likely due to a lack of screening and vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025

In late October, Merck narrowed its full-year sales forecast and lowered its adjusted profit guidance, hit by lighter-than-expected revenue from its vaccine that prevents cancer from human papillomavirus. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2024

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