menstruation

noun

men·​stru·​a·​tion ˌmen(t)-strü-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce menstruation (audio)
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

Examples of menstruation in a Sentence

a first menstruation can be somewhat scary for girls who are unprepared
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 See All Example Sentences for menstruation

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of menstruation was in 1686

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Cite this Entry

“Menstruation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/menstruation. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

menstruation

noun
men·​stru·​a·​tion ˌmen(t)-strə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce menstruation (audio)
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

Medical Definition

menstruation

noun
men·​stru·​a·​tion ˌmen(t)-strə-ˈwā-shən, men-ˈstrā- How to pronounce menstruation (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on menstruation

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