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
When Modi was elected with a roaring majority in 2014, his party’s manifesto pledged to protect the animal as part of preserving India’s cultural heritage, fulfilling a decades-long campaign by the RSS for stricter legislation against cow slaughter.
—Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 16 Nov. 2025
Current yield levels are much more in line with the decades-long historical average, and the Fed this summer adjusted its policy framework accordingly.
—Jenny Johnson, Fortune, 15 Nov. 2025
The award recognizes Parton for her decades-long humanitarian efforts, including the Dollywood Foundation, which inspires the children of East Tennessee — her home state — to achieve educational success, as well as her Imagination Library, which provides pre-school children with a book a month.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 13 Nov. 2025
Formed in the late 1950s, the Isley Brothers have built a decades-long legacy of soul, funk and slow jams that helped define multiple eras of American music.
—Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 13 Nov. 2025
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.
Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 16 Nov. 2025
Current yield levels are much more in line with the decades-long historical average, and the Fed this summer adjusted its policy framework accordingly.
—Jenny Johnson, Fortune, 15 Nov. 2025
The award recognizes Parton for her decades-long humanitarian efforts, including the Dollywood Foundation, which inspires the children of East Tennessee — her home state — to achieve educational success, as well as her Imagination Library, which provides pre-school children with a book a month.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 13 Nov. 2025
Formed in the late 1950s, the Isley Brothers have built a decades-long legacy of soul, funk and slow jams that helped define multiple eras of American music.
—Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 13 Nov. 2025
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 18 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share