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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
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Word History
First Known Use
1952, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of human papillomavirus was
in 1952
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Cite this Entry
“Human papillomavirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20papillomavirus. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on human papillomavirus
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about human papillomavirus
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