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definitions

menstruation

[ men-stroo-ey-shuh n, -strey- ]
/ ˌmɛn struˈeɪ ʃən, -ˈstreɪ- /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR menstruation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the periodic discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the uterus, occurring approximately monthly from puberty to menopause in nonpregnant women and females of other primate species.
the period of menstruating.

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RELATED WORDS

discharge, bleeding, menses, monthlies, catamenia, menorrhea

Nearby words

  1. menstrual cycle,
  2. menstrual extraction,
  3. menstrual period,
  4. menstruant,
  5. menstruate,
  6. menstruous,
  7. menstruum,
  8. mensurable,
  9. mensural,
  10. mensural music

Origin of menstruation

First recorded in 1770–80; menstruate + -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for menstruation

British Dictionary definitions for menstruation

menstruation

/ (ˌmɛnstrʊˈeɪʃən) /

noun

the approximately monthly discharge of blood and cellular debris from the uterus by nonpregnant women from puberty to the menopauseAlso called: menses Nontechnical name: period
Derived Formsmenstruous (ˈmɛnstrʊəs), adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for menstruation

menstruation

n.

1680s, from Late Latin menstruare, from menstruus "monthly" (see menstrual) + -ation. Old English equivalent was monaðblot "month-blood." Middle English had menstrue (n.), late 14c., from Old French menstrue, from Latin menstruum.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for menstruation

menstruation

[ mĕn′strōō-ā′shən ]

n.

The process or an instance of discharging the menses.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for menstruation

menstruation

[ mĕn′strōō-ā′shən ]

The monthly flow of blood from the uterus beginning at puberty in girls and other female primates. Also called menses See also menstrual cycle.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Culture definitions for menstruation

menstruation

[ (men-strooh-ay-shuhn) ]

The periodic discharge of the blood-enriched lining of the uterus through the vagina. Menstruation marks the end of one menstrual cycle and the beginning of another.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.