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.
Chicago will continue its decades-long tradition of dyeing the river green, attracting thousands upon thousands of spectators. Hannah Hudnall, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026 While only two people were ever charged criminally in America — Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell — dozens of civil cases have been brought in connection with the financier’s decades-long exploitation of young women and girls. Robin Abcarian, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026 The decades-long struggle to make Victory a viable neighborhood should give pause to proponents of tearing down City Hall to build an arena and entertainment district. Mark Lamster architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026 Irsay purchased the manuscript at Christie’s in 2001, launching what would become a decades-long collecting journey. Adam Reiss, NBC news, 11 Mar. 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 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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