decennial

adjective

de·​cen·​ni·​al di-ˈse-nē-əl 

1

: consisting of or lasting for 10 years

2

: occurring or being done every 10 years

the decennial census

decennial noun

decennially

di-ˈse-nē-ə-lē 

adverb

Examples of decennial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Typically, state lawmakers only redraw maps for Congress and the General Assembly to account for population shifts after the decennial census. —Tony Cook, IndyStar, 7 Aug. 2025

Redistricting power would then revert back to the nonpartisan Citizen Redistricting Commission in line with typical redistricting that comes after the decennial census. —Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Absent a court order to remedy some problem or another, congressional districts are left in place for a decade following the decennial federal census, the last being 2020, with the most recent lines being produced for 2022. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025

Redistricting is typically done every 10 years, following the decennial U.S. census, but some states conduct this process more often. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for decennial

• biennial
• centennial
• millennial
• perennial
• quadrennial
• quinquennial
• triennial
• bicentennial
• sesquicentennial

Kids Definition

decennial

adjective

de·​cen·​ni·​al di-ˈsen-ē-əl 

1

: consisting of 10 years

2

: happening every 10 years

decennial census

decennially

-ē-ə-lē 

adverb