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

Now the sisters are helping each other through what has become a true hot girl summer, menopause with hot flashes in a city where the temperature already has hit 112 degrees Fahrenheit. — Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 30 June 2026

The women wanted physicians who were disease preventers, and doctors who were attentive to the difficulties wrought by menopause, which have been increasingly found to leave women vulnerable to other ailments. — Melanie Thernstrom, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

The space is drawing investment, Love noted, but as a general neurology category, not as a post-menopause women's health category. — Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Doctors credit prominent voices like Oprah Winfrey and social media users for shining a light on menopause, the life-altering symptoms that some women experience and how hormone replacement therapies can help. — Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 26 June 2026

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

Rhymes for menopause

• byelaws
• candlemas
• chickasaws
• chippewas
• repertoires
• tropopause
• ahs
• baas
• cause
• clause
• claws
• coz

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