human papillomavirus
nounDefinition of human papillomavirus
: 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
Only 39 percent of children between the ages of 13 and 17 in Texas have received the human papillomavirus, or HPV, shot, according to the American Cancer Society. — Laura Garcia, ExpressNews.com, "Texas ranks near bottom for children vaccinated against HPV," 13 Aug. 2019 Two vaccines have also shown themselves to be effective in preventing cancer: the human papillomavirus (or HPV) vaccine, which can prevent cervical cancer, and the Hepatitis B vaccine, which can help prevent liver cancer. — CNN, "These dogs are getting a cancer vaccine. If it works, humans could be next," 21 June 2019 Federal health officials from the Center for Disease Control report that nearly half of American men and women under 60 are infected with the human papillomavirus, or HPV, putting them at risk for certain cancers. — Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, "Marcia Cross 'grateful to be alive' for daughters' graduation after anal cancer battle," 9 June 2019 In the same period, vaccination rates for hepatitis B, human papillomavirus (HPV), and measles also modestly increased. — Alex Whiting, Quartz, "How France is convincing its citizens to get vaccinated," 26 June 2019 In the same period, vaccination rates for hepatitis B, human papillomavirus (HPV) and measles also modestly increased. — Alex Whiting, CNN, "How France is persuading its citizens to get vaccinated," 3 July 2019 The vaccine, which is 100 percent effective against certain strains of the human papillomavirus, is a no-brainer. — Leila Mcneill, Smithsonian, "The Woman Who Revealed the Missing Link Between Viruses and Cancer," 17 June 2019 Dallas philanthropist Lyda Hill is funding a new $4.6 million campaign to raise human papillomavirus vaccination rates in 26 North Texas counties. — Orla Mccaffrey, Dallas News, "Philanthropist Lyda Hill targets HPV with $4.6M donation to increase vaccinations," 6 June 2019 Some viruses may even cause the runaway cellular growth that is the root of cancer, as is thought to be the case with human papillomavirus and cervical cancer. — Maya Wei-haas, National Geographic, "Viruses, explained," 22 Feb. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'human papillomavirus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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