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
The fee traces back to Measure B, a city ballot measure passed in 2022 that ended the decades-long practice of San Diego providing free trash service to single-family homes and many small townhome and apartment complexes.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Backers of the decades-long campaign to make the state's highest earners pay more in taxes gathered again at the State House on Thursday to make their impassioned pitch for their most ambitious package yet.
—Katherine Gregg, The Providence Journal, 22 Jan. 2026
Below, the duo speak with us in depth about the decades-long journey to bring Once Upon a Time in Harlem to the big screen, how Greaves constructed the film in 1972, and their plans to release other projects from Greaves’ large archive.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
The film features interviews with Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Oliver Stone, Woody Harrelson, Kate Hudson, Andy Serkis, among others, exploring Richardson’s decades-long influence on modern cinema.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decades-long
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.
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Backers of the decades-long campaign to make the state's highest earners pay more in taxes gathered again at the State House on Thursday to make their impassioned pitch for their most ambitious package yet.
—Katherine Gregg, The Providence Journal, 22 Jan. 2026
Below, the duo speak with us in depth about the decades-long journey to bring Once Upon a Time in Harlem to the big screen, how Greaves constructed the film in 1972, and their plans to release other projects from Greaves’ large archive.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
The film features interviews with Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Oliver Stone, Woody Harrelson, Kate Hudson, Andy Serkis, among others, exploring Richardson’s decades-long influence on modern cinema.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 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 23 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
