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

Perimenopause typically occurs about three to 10 years before menopause, a day that marks one year without menstruation and signals the end of a woman’s reproductive life. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025

Plus, the censorship not only impacts revenue for these businesses but also adds to shame around these topics like menopause and menstruation that need to be destigmatized in our culture. —Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 4 Mar. 2025

The show offered a positive experience with menstruation but some people weren't happy about it. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 28 Feb. 2025

The hormones that affect menstruation include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). —Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2025

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