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.

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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

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menopause Scientific  

/ mĕn′ə-pôz′ /

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

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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.

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Other Word Forms

• menopausal adjective

Etymology

Origin of menopause

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

Example Sentences

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

I had started going through menopause, so in the first or second season, I kind of blew up like a little balloon.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

As well as speaking to her listeners about her breast cancer diagnosis, she also spoke openly about her weight loss surgery and the menopause.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

The company aims to make up for the shortfall through fast sales growth of its Kerendia drug for kidney disease, Nubeqa for prostate cancer and Lynkuet for menopause symptoms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

He’d pioneered the use of estrogen for treating symptoms of menopause and made important early discoveries about endometriosis.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot