menstruate

verb

men·​stru·​ate ˈmen(t)-strü-ˌwāt 

ˈmen-ˌstrāt

menstruated; menstruating

intransitive verb

: to undergo menstruation

Examples of menstruate in a Sentence

She began menstruating at the age of 12.

Recent Examples on the Web

For most of human history, women were hauling gear, tracking prey, and walking eight to 10 miles a day —often while pregnant, menstruating, nursing or carrying children (one estimate found that hunter-gatherer women covered more than 3,000 miles in a child’s first four years of life). —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025

Also, nearly all people who menstruate experience retrograde menstruation, but only 10% of them have endometriosis.9 Additionally, endometriosis lesions have also been found in fetuses who do not menstruate.8 How Is Stage 4 Endometriosis Diagnosed? —Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 18 June 2025

But because menstrual products are shrouded in stigma and institutional ignorance, menstruating students continue to suffer the consequences. —Suzanne Herman, refinery29.com, 2 Oct. 2024

After all, 90% of menstruating people experience period pain. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin menstruatus, past participle of menstruari, from Latin menstrua menses, from neuter plural of menstruus monthly, from mensis

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for menstruate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

menstruate

verb

men·​stru·​ate ˈmen(t)-strə-ˌwāt 

ˈmen-ˌstrāt

: to undergo menstruation

Medical Definition

menstruate

intransitive verb

men·​stru·​ate ˈmen(t)-strə-ˌwāt, ˈmen-ˌstrāt 

menstruated; menstruating

: to undergo menstruation