menstruate
Americanverb (used without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
menstruatesimple
-
menstruatessimple
-
have menstruatedperfect
-
has menstruatedperfect
-
am menstruatingprogressive
-
are menstruatingprogressive
-
is menstruatingprogressive
-
have been menstruatingperfect progressive
-
has been menstruatingperfect progressive
Past
-
menstruatedsimple
-
had menstruatedperfect
-
was menstruatingprogressive
-
were menstruatingprogressive
-
had been menstruatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of menstruate
1640–50; v. use of earlier menstruate menstruous, Middle English < Late Latin mēnstruātus, equivalent to mēnstru ( a ) monthly courses ( see menstrual) + -ātus -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Experts say period blood tests are not an immediate alternative to current cervical screening because only women who menstruate could use them.
From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026
This invasive placenta is, in fact, part of the reason humans menstruate.
From Slate • Sep. 7, 2024
All people who menstruate who live long enough go through menopause.
From Science Magazine • Oct. 25, 2023
More extensive research in people is particularly important because mice — which do not menstruate or form spontaneous endometrial lesions — are limited as models of the condition.
From Scientific American • Jun. 19, 2023
And when the woman is on the point of ceasing to menstruate she does not do so smoothly and comfortably.
From Woman Her Sex and Love Life by Robinson, William J.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.