Pap smear
noun
a sample of cells taken from the cervix or vagina, which is then examined for pathological characteristics to screen for cervical cancer or other diseases.
Pap smears
-
pluralof Pap smear.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Doctors typically swab a patient’s cervix in clinical settings to test for high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus, an infection that can cause cancer when left untreated, through Pap smears and HPV testing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 5, 2026
Pap smears are especially traumatic when providers fail to respond compassionately to patients’ pain.
From Salon ● Jun. 9, 2025
This is after a big decline in cervical cancer rates over the past half-century due to early detection from Pap smears and HPV screening tests.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 11, 2024
People in their 20s with cervices need Pap smears every three years, although the interval may be shorter if you’ve had abnormal results in the past.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 16, 2022
Many patients last year missed mammograms, Pap smears and other preventive care, so it’s a good time to catch up on care that’s been delayed.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 11, 2021
