menopause

American  

[men-uh-pawz] / ˈmɛn əˌpɔz /

noun

Physiology.

1. the period of permanent cessation of menstruation, usually occurring between the ages of 45 and 55.

2. male menopause.

---

menopause British  

/ ˈmɛnəʊˌpɔːz /

noun

1. Nontechnical name: change of life.  the period during which a woman's menstrual cycle ceases, normally occurring at an age of 45 to 50

---

menopause Scientific  

/ mĕn′ə-pôz′ /

1. The time at which menstruation ceases, occurring usually between 45 and 55 years of age in humans.

---

menopause Cultural  

1. The period in a woman's life when her menstrual cycles stop. Menopause typically occurs between the ages of forty-five and fifty-five.

---

Other Word Forms

• menopausal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of menopause

From the French word ménopause, dating back to 1870–75. See meno-, pause

Example Sentences

At 35, I thought my strange symptoms had to be early menopause.

From Slate • May 6, 2026

She said the condition had worsened while going through the menopause, amplifying her anxiety levels.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

It is especially common with aging and after menopause, when bone density naturally declines.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

Many women in particular, aware of the importance of strength training after menopause, are curious if EMS could be their new resistance workout.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Esteban said that it was menopause and that there was nothing anyone could do.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende