menopause

noun men·o·pause \ ˈme-nə-ˌpȯz , ˈmē- \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of menopause

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

play \ˌme-nə-ˈpȯ-zəl, ˌmē-\ adjective

See menopause defined for English-language learners

See menopause defined for kids

Recent Examples of menopause from the Web

When menstruation stops, either temporarily because of pregnancy or permanently because of menopause, symptoms of endometriosis subside.

— marie mccullough, Philly.com, "Frustrated endometriosis patients fuel surge in activism while seeking answers," 12 Apr. 2018
Terrero says Marsha was going through menopause and was having a tough time, including night sweats and mood swings.

— peter van sant, CBS News, "Was a missing Tennessee woman murdered or did she willingly disappear?," 7 Apr. 2018
Thus, menopause was associated with the end of life.

— donna freedman, Anchorage Daily News, "Searing drama it’s not. But ‘Menopause The Musical’ has fun with an often-overlooked phase of life," 29 Mar. 2018
The recommendations took into account age and length of time from starting menopause.

— sandee lamotte, CNN, "Hormone replacement may fight belly fat, study says," 27 Mar. 2018
For women, the trigger is often menopause and hormonal changes.

— rochelle koff, miamiherald, "You may feel like 20, but you can’t eat like one — the best foods to eat as you age | Miami Herald," 25 Mar. 2018
Women who began menopause before age 47 were at a 33% greater risk of cardiovascular disease and a 42% greater risk of stroke.

— brittney mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Getting Your Period Before Age 12 Could Be Linked to Cardiovascular Disease, Study Finds," 18 Jan. 2018
Last year, New York City debuted a new form of birth control that causes rats to go into a permanent menopause.

— ellen airhart, WIRED, "These Conservationists Are Desperate to Defrost Snake Sperm," 13 Mar. 2018
An audience member asked how Gaitskill approached writing such a nuanced angle of female sexuality, particularly surrounding menopause.

— agatha french, latimes.com, "Mary Gaitskill's response to #MeToo will be fiction," 7 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'menopause.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of menopause

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1872

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

MENOPAUSE Defined for English Language Learners

menopause

noun

Definition of menopause for English Language Learners

: the time in a woman's life when blood stops flowing from her body each month : the time when a woman stops menstruating

Medical Dictionary

menopause

noun meno·pause \ ˈmen-ə-ˌpȯz , ˈmēn- \

medical Definition of menopause

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, 6 Apr. 2006

(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, 13 Oct. 1990

— 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, February 2009

2 : andropause

—

menopausal

play \ˌmen-ə-ˈpȯ-zəl, ˌmēn-\ adjective

- menopausal symptoms
- menopausal women

Learn More about menopause

Spanish Central: Translation of menopause Nglish: Translation of menopause for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of menopause for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about menopause

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menopause

Definition of menopause

menopausal

Recent Examples of menopause from the Web

Origin and Etymology of menopause

MENOPAUSE Defined for English Language Learners

menopause

Definition of menopause for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

menopause

medical Definition of menopause

menopausal

Learn More about menopause

Seen and Heard

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menopause

Definition of menopause

menopausal

Recent Examples of menopause from the Web

Origin and Etymology of menopause

MENOPAUSE Defined for English Language Learners

menopause

Definition of menopause for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

menopause

medical Definition of menopause

menopausal

Learn More about menopause

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