papillomavirus

noun

pap·​il·​lo·​ma·​vi·​rus ˌpa-pə-ˈlō-mə-ˌvī-rəs How to pronounce papillomavirus (audio)
: any of a family (Papillomaviridae) of viruses that contain a single molecule of circular double-stranded DNA and cause papillomas in mammals compare human papillomavirus

Examples of papillomavirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Virus with a scientific and folkloric legacy The Shope papillomavirus is not new to science. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2025 What exactly is the rabbit papillomavirus? — Angela Haupt, Time, 14 Aug. 2025 The cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) makes rabbits grow real horns made of keratin, mostly on their heads but sometimes on their faces. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025 According to Scientific American, papillomavirus may also cause squamous cell cancer in rabbits, which can be deadly to the animals. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for papillomavirus

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of papillomavirus was in 1935

Phrases Containing papillomavirus

Rhymes for papillomavirus

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Browse Nearby Words

papilloma
papillomavirus
papillon
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Cite this Entry

“Papillomavirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papillomavirus. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

papillomavirus

noun
pap·​il·​lo·​ma·​vi·​rus ˌpap-ə-ˈlō-mə-ˌvī-rəs How to pronounce papillomavirus (audio)
: any of a family (Papillomaviridae) of double-stranded DNA viruses that contain a single molecule of DNA, have a capsid composed of 72 capsomers, and cause papillomas in mammals compare human papillomavirus

More from Merriam-Webster on papillomavirus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about papillomavirus

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