decennial

adjective

de·​cen·​ni·​al di-ˈse-nē-əl How to pronounce decennial (audio)
1
: consisting of or lasting for 10 years
2
: occurring or being done every 10 years
the decennial census
decennial noun
decennially adverb

Examples of decennial 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.
The general practice is to redistrict after the decennial census. Debra J. Saunders, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025 States usually redistrict at the start of the decade following the decennial census. NPR, 6 Nov. 2025 There’s little to no hope that red states are going to lay down their political arms before the next decennial line-drawing. Daniel Borenstein, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025 These years in the decennial pattern have tended to be the strongest. Bill Sarubbi, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decennial

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of decennial was circa 1656

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Cite this Entry

“Decennial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decennial. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

decennial

adjective
de·​cen·​ni·​al di-ˈsen-ē-əl How to pronounce decennial (audio)
1
: consisting of 10 years
2
: happening every 10 years
decennial census
decennially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on decennial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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