menopause

noun men·o·pause \ˈme-nə-ˌpȯz, ˈmē-\

: the time in a woman's life when blood stops flowing from her body each month : the time when a woman stops menstruating

Full Definition of MENOPAUSE

: the natural cessation of menstruation that usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55; also : the period during which such cessation occurs —called also climacteric — compare perimenopause

: cessation of menstruation from other than natural causes

— men·o·paus·al \ˌme-nə-ˈpȯ-zəl, ˌmē-\ adjective

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Origin of MENOPAUSE

French ménopause, from méno- men- + pause stop, pause

First Known Use: 1872

Medical Dictionary

menopause

noun meno·pause \ˈmen-ə-ˌpȯz, ˈmēn-\

Medical Definition of MENOPAUSE

a (1) : the natural cessation of menstruation occurring usually between the ages of 45 and 55 with a mean in Western cultures of approximately 51 (2) : the physiological period in the life of a woman in which such cessation and the accompanying regression of ovarian function occurs—called also climacteric; compare perimenopause b : cessation of menstruation from other than natural causes (as from surgical removal of the ovaries)

: andropause

—meno·paus·al \ˌmen-ə-ˈpȯ-zəl, ˌmēn-\ adjective