ENGLISH
REFERENCE

menstruation

n.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌmɛnstɹuˈeɪʃən// UK //mˌɛnstɹuːˈeɪʃən// men·stru·a·tion

n. the monthly process where the body prepares for a baby and then releases blood and tissue if no baby is there. It is a normal part of being a woman or a person with a uterus.

n. the monthly shedding of the uterine lining, which occurs when a fertilized egg is not present. It is a physiological process marking the end of the menstrual cycle.


SIMPLE

She is tracking her menstruation to understand her cycle better.

CONTEXTUAL

The clinic provides free resources to help women manage their menstruation and understand their reproductive health.

COMPLEX

While menstruation is a natural biological process, many cultures have historically surrounded it with various taboos and social restrictions that vary significantly across different regions.

Synonyms
Origin

From menstruum + -ation, modelled after Late Latin menstruatio. The word is a cognate with French menstruation, Spanish menstruación, which displaced Old English mōnaþblōd (literally “monthblood”).

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