decade

[ dek-eyd; British also duh-keyd ]

noun

1. a period of ten years:

   the three decades from 1776 to 1806.

2. a period of ten years beginning with a year whose last digit is zero:

   the decade of the 1980s.

3. a group, set, or series of ten.

decade

/ dɪˈkeɪd; ˈdɛkeɪd /

noun

1. a period of ten consecutive years
2. a group or series of ten

Derived Forms

• deˈcadal, adjective

Other Words From

• half-decade noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decade¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin decad-, stem of decas, from Greek dekás “group of ten”; equivalent to deca- + -ade ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of decade¹

C15: from Old French, from Late Latin decad-, decas, from Greek dekas, from deka ten

Example Sentences

GDM occurs in approximately 8.3% of pregnancies in the United States, and that number has risen significantly over the past two decades.

From Science Daily

The study, published in Epidemiology, compared the differences in years of education based on variations in state schooling mandates with cognitive performance outcomes in residents decades later.

From Science Daily

After comparing their new results with other previous observations of WOH G64, they were surprised to find that the star had become dimmer over the past decade.

From Science Daily

A Loyola Marymount University report released in 2021 identified at least 18 such groups that have existed over the last five decades, including one known as the Executioners and another known as the Banditos.

From Los Angeles Times

After decades in comedy and working as America's favorite talk show host, DeGeneres is settled in Cotswolds, England.

From Salon