menopause

noun

men·​o·​pause ˈme-nə-ˌpȯz 

ˈmē-

1

: the natural cessation of menstruation that usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55

also : the period during which such cessation occurs

called also climacteric

compare perimenopause

2

: cessation of menstruation from other than natural causes

menopausal

ˌme-nə-ˈpȯ-zəl 

ˌmē-

adjective

Examples of menopause in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is likely due to men having about 20% thicker skin than women and because aging women lose significantly more collagen than aging men do, primarily coinciding with menopause. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024

Well now, a new generation of women is going under the knife to combat changes triggered by another major hormonal event in a woman’s life: menopause. —Genevieve Monsma, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2024

Samantha is now single and trying to fight the changes that come with menopause. —Jacqueline Weiss, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024

Many Gen X and Gen Z families also have alphas — the oldest zoomers just hit the median age of first birth in the US, while the youngest Xers are still several years from menopause — but millennial parents have defined the genre. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024

In a new episode of Chasing Life, Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks to Dr. Monica Christmas, the director of the menopause program at the University of Chicago Medicine and an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology. —Aj Willingham, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024

More on menopause Should severe menopause symptoms be a disability? —Victoria Bisset, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024

Share [Findings] Depression in humans is correlated with higher body temperature, and cold-water swimming mitigates menopause symptoms. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024

Towards the end of their talk, Berry — who has become an outspoken advocate for menopause awareness — surprised both Biden and the crowd by getting candid about the distressing story behind her perimenopause diagnosis. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French ménopause, from méno- men- + pause stop, pause

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing menopause

• male menopause
• pre-menopause

Kids Definition

menopause

noun

meno·​pause

ˈmen-ə-ˌpȯz

: the period of life when menstruation permanently stops naturally that usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55

menopausal

ˌmen-ə-ˈpȯ-zəl

adjective

Medical Definition

menopause

noun

meno·​pause ˈmen-ə-ˌpȯz  ˈmēn- 

1

a(1)

: the natural cessation of menstruation occurring usually between the ages of 45 and 55

… osteoporosis, which increases the risk of hip and spine fractures, is a well-known consequence of menopause.

—Daniel D. Federman, The New England Journal of Medicine

(2)

: the physiological period in the life of a woman in which such cessation and the accompanying regression of ovarian function occurs

Hot flashes plague many women undergoing menopause …

—K. A. Fackelmann, Science News

called also climacteric, climax

compare perimenopause

b

: cessation of menstruation from other than natural causes (as from surgical removal of the ovaries)

Premature menopause due to surgery or ovarian failure …

—Mary Duenwald, O: The Oprah Magazine

2

: andropause

menopausal

ˌmen-ə-ˈpȯ-zəl  ˌmēn- 

adjective

menopausal symptoms

menopausal women