long-lived

adjective

ˈlȯŋ-ˈlivd 

also

-ˈlīvd 

1

: having a long life : living a long time

long-lived siblings

a long-lived perennial

also : characterized by long life

a long-lived family

2

: lasting a long time : enduring

a long-lived fad

also : existing, functioning, or active for a period of time that is longer than usual or expected

a long-lived car

long-lived nuclear waste

Synonyms of long-lived

• older
• elderly
• aging
• old
• aged

Examples of long-lived in a Sentence

that sequoia tree is especially long-lived, having reached an age generally estimated to be at least 3,000 years

much to the relief of his parents, the youth's interest in the piano proved to be long-lived

Recent Examples on the Web

Large and long-lived tornadoes are possible, along with destructive wind gusts up to 80 mph, and hail up to the size of baseballs. — Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 16 June 2026

Perennial Weeds Perennial weeds live for two or more years, with many being quite long-lived. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 June 2026

This frustration is long-lived for architectural designers. — Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 17 May 2026

This design has the potential to reduce the total volume of long-lived spent fuel produced per unit of energy generated and to increase resistance to nuclear proliferation. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026

Credentials become long-lived because rotating them requires effort nobody budgets for. — Huzefa Olia, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2026

Boxwoods are easy to grow, green year-round, and long-lived. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026

One supercell thunderstorm was particularly strong and long-lived, starting near Del Rio before tracking east-northeast through the Texas Hill Country. — Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Mar. 2026

And while film festivals that are long-lived, and well-attended, may appear to be indestructible meeting places, these spaces are often fragile, hard-won and complex to preserve. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for long-lived

• outlived
• relived

Kids Definition

long-lived

adjective

ˈlȯŋ-ˈlīvd, 

-ˈlivd

: living or lasting long