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

Education Several education bills were signed into law this year, ranging from rules to protect young people from being outed against their will to rules that require elementary schools to offer free menstruation products. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 27 Dec. 2024

The Four Phases of Your Menstrual Cycle The menstrual cycle starts on the first day of your period, also known as menses or menstruation. —Carley Millhone, Health, 13 Dec. 2024

These flare-ups may be triggered by illness, stress, injuries, sun exposure, or even menstruation. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Also, women who are using hormonal birth control such as the oral contraceptive pill may not experience changes in menstruation, as their other symptoms could be masked by these hormones. —Katia Hetter, CNN, 30 Oct. 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