menstruate

verb

men·​stru·​ate ˈmen(t)-strü-ˌwāt 

ˈmen-ˌstrāt

menstruated; menstruating

intransitive verb

: to undergo menstruation

Examples of menstruate in a Sentence

She began menstruating at the age of 12.

Recent Examples on the Web

King explains that for much of Christian history menstruating women were not allowed into religious spaces; at some modern-day Coptic Orthodox churches, they are still forbidden from taking communion. —S. C. Cornell, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025

The Barnetts claimed that Natalia had pubic hair, was menstruating, and had adult teeth, leading them to believe that their child was an adult posing as a minor. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025

The couple alleged that Grace had pubic hair, adult teeth and was menstruating, according to the Investigation Discovery docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace. —Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025

Would the virginal and so presumably menstruating Mary have been barred from worshipping her son? —S. C. Cornell, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin menstruatus, past participle of menstruari, from Latin menstrua menses, from neuter plural of menstruus monthly, from mensis

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for menstruate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

menstruate

verb

men·​stru·​ate ˈmen(t)-strə-ˌwāt 

ˈmen-ˌstrāt

: to undergo menstruation

Medical Definition

menstruate

intransitive verb

men·​stru·​ate ˈmen(t)-strə-ˌwāt, ˈmen-ˌstrāt 

menstruated; menstruating

: to undergo menstruation