Pap smear

noun

: a method for the early detection of cancer especially of the uterine cervix that involves the staining of exfoliated cells using a special technique which differentiates diseased tissue

called also Papanicolaou smear, Papanicolaou test, Pap test

Examples of Pap smear in a Sentence

She has a Pap smear done every year.
Recent Examples on the Web Periods don't always come on schedule, and sometimes a person who menstruates might not track their cycle as far out when booking a Pap smear. Claire Gillespie, Health, 15 Feb. 2024 Women ages 30 to 65 can be screened either every three years with a Pap smear or every five years with an HPV test or combination of the two tests. Liz Szabo, NBC News, 20 Jan. 2024 By collecting cervical cells (called the Pap smear after the scientist who pioneered the screening test in the mid-1900s), cancer can be detected even at an early stage. Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2024 One common screening method is the Pap smear, which requires a specialized instrument to remove cells from the cervix to detect precancerous cells. Abdullahi Tsanni, STAT, 21 June 2023 This is an exam more commonly known as a Pap smear. Rebekah Kuschmider, Health, 23 Apr. 2023 Occasionally, it can be picked up on a Pap smear. Deanna Pai, Allure, 2 Nov. 2022 Since then, nearly every other post on my feed has been a carousel photo dump of one of the brand's flagship dolls engaged in chaotic behavior: using an Easy-Bake Oven, participating in the Battle of Lexington, getting her first Pap smear at the gynecologist's office. Ana Escalante, Glamour, 29 July 2022 Heck, gynecologic exams (such as a Pap smear) can also tear your hymen, says Dr. White. SELF, 25 Feb. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Pap smear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

George N. Papanicolaou †1962 American medical scientist

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Pap smear was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near Pap smear

Cite this Entry

“Pap smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pap%20smear. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Pap smear

noun
: a test for the early detection of cancer especially of the cervix of the uterus using cells that are shed or scraped off and stained in a special way

called also Pap test

Medical Definition

Pap smear

noun
: a method or a test based on it for the early detection of cancer especially of the uterine cervix that involves staining exfoliated cells by a special technique which differentiates diseased tissue

called also Papanicolaou smear, Papanicolaou test, Pap test

More from Merriam-Webster on Pap smear

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