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 of menstruation

• period

Examples of menstruation in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike the inner lining of the uterus, endometriosis tissue doesn’t leave the body during menstruation, and cysts and adhesions can sometimes develop. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026

Always Discreet shares a name with P&G’s menstruation product,s but remains one of the younger brands in the company’s portfolio. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

According to Frey, that suggests that any potential effect on menstruation may be related to the drugs themselves rather than solely a secondary effect of weight loss. — Laura Bradley, HEALTH, 10 Aug. 2026

Shame, stigma and misinformation may discourage girls from attending school while menstruating and prevent schools from teaching healthy attitudes about menstruation. — Courtney Busch, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for menstruation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

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