decades-long

adjective

de·​cades-long ˈde-ˌkādz-ˌlȯŋ 

variants or less commonly decadeslong

: lasting two or more decades : occurring over a period of two or more decades

a decades-long career

… no discussion of wolf research would be complete without mention of this fascinating, decades-long study.

—Robert R. Ream

His decades-long accumulation of books makes an eclectic mix …

—Stephen Mihm

Examples of decades-long in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Imamoglu, who represents the CHP, has been imprisoned since March last year and faces criminal cases that could result in decades-long sentences. — ABC News, 24 July 2026

The shift breaks a decades-long Silicon Valley formula that created the world's most valuable companies. — Hugh Son, CNBC, 24 July 2026

The pitch was a small part of a grand evening honoring Dupri, a longtime Braves fan and Atlanta ambassador who’s had a decades-long impact in hip-hop culture. — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 23 July 2026

The nearly decades-long battle between Apple and Samsung for smartphone dominance may soon enter a new phase. — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for decades-long

• agung
• along
• belong
• birdsong
• furlong
• headlong
• headstrong
• lifelong
• plainsong
• prolong
• sarong
• tanjong