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

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

The account covers issues like the menopause, mental wellbeing, periods and fertility, and gives women in the North East a "safe space" to find accurate and evidence-based information on women's health.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 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

“For too long, women going into perimenopause and menopause just drifted along, suffering through symptoms. Eventually, they maybe found out they had frail bones and were put on medicines,” says Dr. Tang.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 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