menopause

men·o·pause | \ ˈme-nə-ˌpȯz

, ˈmē- \

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

Other Words from menopause Example Sentences Learn More about menopause

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of menopause in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For Gen X women, all of these stressors are exacerbated by the profound changes our bodies go through in the years leading up to menopause (which occurs, on average, at age 51). — Time, "Gen X Women Get Less Sleep Than Any Other Generation. What's Keeping Them Up?," 6 Jan. 2020 The 50s are a time for big changes, thanks to perimenopause and menopause. — Stefanie Gordon, Woman's Day, "The Best Diets For Women Over 50 That’ll Fulfill All Their Health Needs," 20 Jan. 2020 With her beauty hub, Watts hopes to shut down the negative stigma around menopause and aging. — Katie Intner, PEOPLE.com, "Naomi Watts Says She Suffered from 'Miserable' Rosacea While Filming Netflix's Gypsy," 30 Dec. 2019 Before menopause women have fewer heart attacks than men. — The Economist, "Managing menopause Millions of women are missing out on hormone replacement therapy," 12 Dec. 2019 However, one-quarter of women over 50 no longer have a uterus and can take estrogen alone for menopause symptoms. — Marilynn Marchione, SFChronicle.com, "Breast cancer risk from menopause hormones may last decade," 14 Dec. 2019 However, one-quarter of women over 50 no longer have a uterus and can take estrogen alone for menopause symptoms. — Washington Post, "Breast cancer risk from menopause hormones may last decades," 13 Dec. 2019 About 47m women around the world reach the age of menopause each year. — The Economist, "More women should take hormone-replacement therapy," 12 Dec. 2019 The orca is one of only a handful of mammals known to go through menopause. — Carrie Arnold, National Geographic, "Why do orca grandmothers live so long? It's for their grandkids.," 9 Dec. 2019

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about menopause

Dictionary Entries near menopause

Statistics for menopause

Last Updated

10 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Menopause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/menopause. Accessed 21 Feb. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for menopause

menopause

noun

English Language Learners Definition of menopause

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

See the full definition for menopause in the English Language Learners Dictionary

menopause

noun

meno·pause | \ ˈmen-ə-ˌpȯz

, ˈmēn-

Medical Definition of menopause

1a(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