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
Robert R. ReamHis decades-long accumulation of books makes an eclectic mix …—Stephen Mihm
Stephen MihmExamples of decades-long in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This reflects Indiana’s two-decades-long financial turnaround that former Governor Mitch Daniels began, and his successors have continued.
—Joe Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Armstrong Ambulance Service has described Medford’s decision to end its decades-long partnership with the provider as an unprecedented move, prompting concerns about the city’s transparency.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
In 2025, as Patrick Mahomes played on YouTube and the NBA embraced Peacock, with F1 giving Apple TV exclusive rights and MLB handing its Home Run Derby to Netflix, linear TV’s decades-long reign as the go-to place for the biggest sporting events came to an end.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 2 Jan. 2026
The tax overhaul, announced late last year, removes exemptions that had been in place since 1994, when China was still enforcing its decades-long one-child policy.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decades-long
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Joe Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Armstrong Ambulance Service has described Medford’s decision to end its decades-long partnership with the provider as an unprecedented move, prompting concerns about the city’s transparency.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
In 2025, as Patrick Mahomes played on YouTube and the NBA embraced Peacock, with F1 giving Apple TV exclusive rights and MLB handing its Home Run Derby to Netflix, linear TV’s decades-long reign as the go-to place for the biggest sporting events came to an end.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 2 Jan. 2026
The tax overhaul, announced late last year, removes exemptions that had been in place since 1994, when China was still enforcing its decades-long one-child policy.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decades-long
Cite this Entry
“Decades-long.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decades-long. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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