menstruation
noun
men·stru·a·tion
ˌmen(t)-strü-ˈwā-shən 
men-ˈstrā-
: a cyclical discharging of blood, secretions, and tissue debris from the uterus that recurs in nonpregnant breeding-age primate females at approximately monthly intervals and that is considered to represent a readjustment of the uterus to the nonpregnant state following proliferative changes accompanying the preceding ovulation
also
: period sense 6c
Examples of menstruation in a Sentence
a first menstruation can be somewhat scary for girls who are unprepared
Recent Examples on the Web
For biological females, this means stopping breast development and menstruation.
—
Irene Wright, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Beyond the physical health risks, doctors and lawyers warn the societal shame around menstruation has a corrosive impact on women’s mental wellbeing and sense of self.
—Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Follicular menstruation, ovulation.
—Outside Online, 11 Feb. 2026
The film addresses stigma surrounding menstruation and includes biologically accurate descriptions; educational groups have screened it.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for menstruation
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Irene Wright, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Beyond the physical health risks, doctors and lawyers warn the societal shame around menstruation has a corrosive impact on women’s mental wellbeing and sense of self.
—Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Follicular menstruation, ovulation.
—Outside Online, 11 Feb. 2026
The film addresses stigma surrounding menstruation and includes biologically accurate descriptions; educational groups have screened it.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for menstruation
Cite this Entry
“Menstruation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/menstruation. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
menstruation
noun
men·stru·a·tion
ˌmen(t)-strə-ˈwā-shən
men-ˈstrā-shən
: a discharging of blood, secretions, and tissue debris from the uterus at periods of approximately one month in female primates of breeding age that are not pregnant
also
: period sense 3c
Medical Definition
menstruation
noun
men·stru·a·tion
ˌmen(t)-strə-ˈwā-shən, men-ˈstrā-
: a discharging of blood, secretions, and tissue debris from the uterus that recurs in nonpregnant human and other primate females of breeding age at approximately monthly intervals and that is considered to represent a readjustment of the uterus to the nonpregnant state following proliferative changes accompanying the preceding ovulation
also
: period sense 1b
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