menstruation

noun

men·​stru·​a·​tion ˌmen(t)-strü-ˈwā-shən 

men-ˈstrā-

: a cyclical discharging of blood, secretions, and tissue debris from the uterus that recurs in nonpregnant breeding-age primate females at approximately monthly intervals and that is considered to represent a readjustment of the uterus to the nonpregnant state following proliferative changes accompanying the preceding ovulation

also : period sense 6c

Synonyms of menstruation

• period

Examples of menstruation in a Sentence

a first menstruation can be somewhat scary for girls who are unprepared

Recent Examples on the Web

Starting menstruation before 12, reaching menopause after 55, having a first pregnancy after 30 or never having been pregnant can also raise risk. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Other factors outside personal control include dense breast tissue, starting menstruation before age 12, reaching menopause after age 55, never having been pregnant and prior radiation therapy to the chest before age 30. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026

Among the topics were keeping young girls in the game, the impact of menstruation and hormones on performance, and training practices designed for women. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

In fact, one research team planning to study menstruation in space will be the first to ever conduct a dedicated study on the subject. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for menstruation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

menstruation

noun

men·​stru·​a·​tion ˌmen(t)-strə-ˈwā-shən 

men-ˈstrā-shən

: a discharging of blood, secretions, and tissue debris from the uterus at periods of approximately one month in female primates of breeding age that are not pregnant

also : period sense 3c

Medical Definition

menstruation

noun

men·​stru·​a·​tion ˌmen(t)-strə-ˈwā-shən, men-ˈstrā- 

: a discharging of blood, secretions, and tissue debris from the uterus that recurs in nonpregnant human and other primate females of breeding age at approximately monthly intervals and that is considered to represent a readjustment of the uterus to the nonpregnant state following proliferative changes accompanying the preceding ovulation

also : period sense 1b