menarche
noun
men·ar·che
ˈme-ˌnär-kē 
: the beginning of the menstrual function
especially
: the first menstrual period of an individual
Examples of menarche in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Within months of menarche, they will be married off to Commanders, many of whom appear to be older than their fathers.
—
Judy Berman,
Time,
8 Apr. 2026
Certain factors—such as genetics, age of menarche, number of pregnancies and more—can impact when a woman starts menopause.
—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
17 Oct. 2025
Less than 9% had menarche — the scientific term for a girl’s first menstrual period — before age 11, which is considered early.
—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC News,
19 Oct. 2024
The only innocence lost with my menarche was realizing how cruel and complicated the world could be.
—
Caroline Colvin,
Health,
9 Mar. 2024
Two of the most notable milestones are the beginning of menstruation, or menarche, in girls and the beginning of sperm production, or spermarche, with boys.
—
Elissa Strauss,
CNN,
3 Aug. 2021
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Judy Berman,
Time,
8 Apr. 2026
Certain factors—such as genetics, age of menarche, number of pregnancies and more—can impact when a woman starts menopause.
—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
17 Oct. 2025
Less than 9% had menarche — the scientific term for a girl’s first menstrual period — before age 11, which is considered early.
—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC News,
19 Oct. 2024
The only innocence lost with my menarche was realizing how cruel and complicated the world could be.
—
Caroline Colvin,
Health,
9 Mar. 2024
Two of the most notable milestones are the beginning of menstruation, or menarche, in girls and the beginning of sperm production, or spermarche, with boys.
—
Elissa Strauss,
CNN,
3 Aug. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Menarche.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/menarche. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
menarche
noun
men·ar·che
ˈmen-ˌär-kē
: the beginning of the menstrual function
especially
: the first menstrual period of an individual
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