English Reference

Word

menopause

US/ˈmɛnəˌpaʊz/

UK/mˈɛnəpˌɔːz/

Definition

n. the natural time in life when a woman's periods stop and she can no longer get pregnant.

n. the period of life marking the permanent cessation of menstruation, typically occurring between ages 45 and 55.

Examples

“Most women experience the menopause in their late forties or early fifties.”

“She consulted her doctor about managing the hot flashes and sleep disturbances associated with the onset of menopause.”

“While the biological transition of menopause is universal, the cultural perception of this life stage varies significantly across different societies, affecting how women report and manage their symptoms.”

Examples

simple

“Most women experience the menopause in their late forties or early fifties.”

contextual

“She consulted her doctor about managing the hot flashes and sleep disturbances associated with the onset of menopause.”

complex

“While the biological transition of menopause is universal, the cultural perception of this life stage varies significantly across different societies, affecting how women report and manage their symptoms.”

Usage

Often used with the definite article: 'the menopause'.

Real-World Examples

“Almost all women experience symptoms during the dramatic transition to menopause, but only a small portion receive helpful treatment.”
The Guardian · 14 Aug 2026
“The greatest reduction was seen in women using HRT who had undergone surgical menopause, with a 26% lower risk of developing any type of dementia compared with non‑users.”
The Guardian · 26 Aug 2026

Etymology

From French ménopause, from Latin menopausis, from Ancient Greek μήν (mḗn, “month”) + παῦσις (paûsis, “pause”). Equivalent to meno- + -pause.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Synonyms

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference