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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'estrous cycle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of estrous cycle was in 1900

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 5 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

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