long-term

adjective

ˈlȯŋ-ˈtərm 

1

: occurring over or involving a relatively long period of time

seeking long-term solutions

2

a

: of, relating to, or constituting a financial operation or obligation based on a considerable term and especially one of more than 10 years

long-term bonds

b

: generated by assets held for longer than six months

a long-term capital gain

Synonyms of long-term

• long
• lengthy

Examples of long-term in a Sentence

before approving a new drug, the government insists on some long-term research to determine any possible side effects

Recent Examples on the Web

As a press release concludes, the companies presented their partnership as the beginning of a long-term commitment, with other projects planned. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026

State Street's Loo likewise highlighted that intervention can buy time, but not change the long-term trajectory. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026

By contrast, the clearest long-term winners treated the creation of customer value as primary and used digital technology, and later AI, as means to that end. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

This is a long-term problem the agency is working on, but remains unresolved. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for long-term

• affirm
• bookworm
• budworm
• confirm
• cutworm
• earthworm
• infirm
• midterm
• ringworm
• tapeworm
• wireworm
• angiosperm

Kids Definition

long-term

adjective

-ˈtərm

: extending over or involving a long period of time