the long term
noun
: a long period of time after the beginning of something
She is investing for the long term.
I think it's the better choice over the long term.
an investment that should do well in the long term
These changes may improve profits now, but they are going to cost us money in the long term.
Examples of the long term in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s key because stock prices tend to follow the path of corporate profits over the long term.
—
Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
To be sure, as it is designed, the tax is a one-time levy, meaning that either California will only see a singular, fleeting benefit, or the Golden State will be forced to adopt one of two changes, neither of which are beneficial for California in the long term.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
But in the long term, buying into these stories about mood and biology could have a higher cost.
—Andréa Becker, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
But even the defense sector can’t count on being a winner in the long term.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for the long term
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Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
To be sure, as it is designed, the tax is a one-time levy, meaning that either California will only see a singular, fleeting benefit, or the Golden State will be forced to adopt one of two changes, neither of which are beneficial for California in the long term.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
But in the long term, buying into these stories about mood and biology could have a higher cost.
—Andréa Becker, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
But even the defense sector can’t count on being a winner in the long term.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for the long term
Cite this Entry
“The long term.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20long%20term. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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