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

Endometriosis can cause pose major problems to the uterus and ovaries, as well as complicate menstruation and childbirth. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026

Austen herself may even once have expressed sympathy for period pain, in a possible reference to menstruation in her private letters. —Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026

This hormonal decline, culminating with the end of one’s menstruation years, occurs between eight months and two years earlier for Black women, who can approach perimenopause as early as 35 years old. —Iyana Robertson, Flow Space, 10 Mar. 2026

More is being learned about the onset of menstruation, preeclampsia in pregnancy, and the impact of menopause than what was taught in medical school 25 years ago, Joynt Maddox said. —Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for menstruation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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