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

The expert celeb stylist, working with the likes of Justin Bieber, Karlie Kloss and Olivia Wilde, has been using her fashion expertise to create an accessible, sustainable menstruation product, while addressing period poverty with her brand The Period Co., which launched in 2020. —Emily Burns, WWD, 13 Aug. 2024

Half of the American electorate–indeed, half the world’s population–copes with menstruation. —Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, TIME, 7 Aug. 2024

These genes are crucial for the formation and proper function of egg cells, which includes monthly ovulation and menstruation. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 6 Aug. 2024

Related article Kids are starting menstruation earlier, study shows. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 11 July 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