Pap test

or pap test

[ pap-test ]

noun

a test for cancer of the cervix, consisting of the staining of cervical cells taken in a cervical or vaginal smear (Pap smear, or pap smear ) for examination of exfoliated cells.
a vaginal Pap smear used to evaluate estrogen levels.

an examination of exfoliated cells in any body fluid, as sputum or urine, for cancer cells.

Origin of Pap test

First recorded in1955–60; named after George Papanicolaou (1883–1962), U.S. cytologist, born in Greece, who developed the staining method

Also called Papanicolaou test.

Words Nearby Pap test

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Pap test in a sentence

That drop was due mostly to the increased use of the Pap test.
Bill Clinton’s New Gig: Curing Breast Cancer | Abigail Pesta | November 13, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
The drop was due mostly to the increased use of the Pap test.
The Media’s Pink-Ribbon Problem: Coverage Is Skewed, Study Says | Abigail Pesta | August 13, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for Pap test

Pap test

Pap smear

/ (pæp) /

nounmed

another name for cervical smear
a similar test for precancerous cells in other organs

Origin of Pap test

C20: named after George Papanicolaou (1883–1962), US anatomist, who devised it

US equivalent: Papanicolaou smear

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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