-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
estrous cycle
noun
: the correlated phenomena of the endocrine and reproductive systems of a female mammal from the beginning of one period of estrus to the beginning of the next
called also estral cycle, estrus cycle
Examples of estrous cycle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the estrous cycle has little to do with how female mice behave, according to a new study that used machine-learning software to track the second-to-second behavior of animals exploring an open space.
—Azeen Ghorayshi, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2023
The estrous cycle of the females showed a very weak effect on their behavior, the researchers found.
—Azeen Ghorayshi, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2023
Moreover, the amount of grooming changed over the course of a female’s estrous cycle, which is similar to the human menstrual cycle but lasts only four to five days.
—Debra A. Bangasser, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2016
The fact is that any does not bred a month before, as well a number of fawns entering their first estrous cycle, will come into heat now, and mature bucks are not going to pass up an opportunity to breed.
—Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 20 Oct. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1900, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near estrous cycle
Cite this Entry
“Estrous cycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/estrous%20cycle. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
estrous cycle
noun
: the cycle of changes in the endocrine and reproductive systems of a female mammal from the beginning of one period of estrus to the beginning of the next
Medical Definition
estrous cycle
noun
: the correlated phenomena of the endocrine and generative systems of a female mammal from the beginning of one period of estrus to the beginning of the next
called also estral cycle, estrus cycle
More from Merriam-Webster on estrous cycle
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about estrous cycle
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share