menstruation

American  

[men-stroo-ey-shuhn, -strey-] / ˌmɛn struˈeɪ ʃən, -ˈstreɪ- /

noun

1. 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.

2. the period of menstruating.

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menstruation British  

/ ˈmɛnstrʊəs, ˌmɛnstrʊˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. Nontechnical name: period.  Also called: menses.  the approximately monthly discharge of blood and cellular debris from the uterus by nonpregnant women from puberty to the menopause

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menstruation Scientific  

/ mĕn′stro̅o̅-ā′shən /

1. The monthly flow of blood from the uterus beginning at puberty in girls and other female primates.

2. Also called menses

3. See also menstrual cycle

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menstruation Cultural  

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• menstruous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of menstruation

First recorded in 1770–80; menstruate + -ion

Example Sentences

"Menstruation" had not been heard much on primetime TV up to that point.

From BBC • Dec. 26, 2023

“Discriminatory menstrual practices and perceptions have been practiced since the beginning of civilization,” says Radha Paudel, the founder of the Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation in Nepal.

From National Geographic • Nov. 29, 2023

Menstruation: What do you know about period cycles?

From New York Times • Jun. 24, 2023

Menstruation has long been framed in terms of managing it with the greatest possible degree of obfuscation.

From Salon • Sep. 25, 2022

Menstruation was not something that Ophie looked forward to; she understood the monthly ritual of bleeding but was rather happy not to have one more hassle in her life.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland