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

• monthlies
• period

Examples of menstruation in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Menopause: This is the natural phase of menstruation that causes your ovarian, estrogen, and progesterone production to decrease significantly, gradually making menstrual cycles less regular and eventually leading to the end of the menstrual cycle. —Laura Schober, Health, 5 Oct. 2024

The technique can be applied to developments like voice change, breast development, and menstruation onset. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 17 Sep. 2024

After menopause, menstruation never returns.7 Hormonal imbalance While PCOS and POI can cause ovulation problems, so can other hormonal conditions. —Rachel Gurevich, Parents, 25 July 2024

Should people immediately throw theirs away and switch to another type of menstruation product for good? —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 11 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined above

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