decades-long

adjective

de·​cades-long ˈde-ˌkādz-ˌlȯŋ How to pronounce decades-long (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Their parents rushed back home, and the decades-long search for Wendy began. Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026 People in both parties believe a Talarico-Paxton race could risk the GOP’s decades-long winning streak in the state. Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026 Destinations such as Dubai Media City and Dubai Design District (d3) collectively serve as the cornerstone of creativity in Dubai and beyond, with their decades-long impact essential to driving the next stage of the cultural and creative industries worldwide. Abdulla Belhoul, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026 The Oscars are concluding a decades-long run with ABC and Disney and heading to YouTube in 2029, following the streamer’s first-ever NFL game last fall. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decades-long

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of decades-long was in 1930

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Cite this Entry

“Decades-long.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decades-long. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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