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

Specifically, this term was coined after noticing the significant number of women in the study who envied men for being free of menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

Symptoms include lack of ovulation, irregular menstruation, acne, and excess body hair.1 PCOS is linked to insulin resistance and obesity. —Joy Emeh, Health, 21 Nov. 2024

Often, women are expected to endure the pain and suffering that accompany menstruation, pregnancy, or postpartum difficulties as inevitable trials of womanhood. —Theara Coleman, theweek, 18 Oct. 2024

The American Sleep Foundation reports additional possible explanations, including menstruation, menopause, and pregnancy, all of which can interrupt sleep and lead to women staying in bed a little bit longer to make up for the periodic awakenings. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined above

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