long-term

American  

[lawng-turm, long-] / ˈlɔŋˌtɜrm, ˈlɒŋ- /

adjective

1. covering a relatively long period of time.

   a long-term lease.

2. maturing over or after a relatively long period of time.

   a long-term loan; a long-term bond.

3. (of a capital gain or loss) derived from the sale or exchange of an asset held for more than a specified time, as six months or one year.

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long-term British  

adjective

1. lasting, staying, or extending over a long time

   long-term prospects

2. finance maturing after a long period of time

   a long-term bond

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Etymology

Origin of long-term

First recorded in 1905–10

Explanation

Something that's long-term has lasted for quite a while. If you have a long-term girlfriend, she's been in your life for years. Use the adjective long-term to describe things that are so enduring that they're nearly permanent. Someone who's a long-term resident of Canada has lived there for a very long time, and news of long-term unemployment is discouraging because it means people have been out of work for months and months. Long-term was originally a word describing only insurance policies, in the 1870's.

Example Sentences

Long term, there is a quantum computing call option.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Long term — The builders: These companies are options on the renaissance emerging in 2032 and beyond.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

Long term exposure has been linked to serious health problems, including heart disease, lung disease, and premature death.

From Science Daily • Jan. 26, 2026

“Tariffs will have a little impact for us short term. Long term, we’re going to have manufacturing onshore.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2025

"Long term reduction in knife crime will only be seen if we go back to the start and raise our children better."

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2025

Related Words

• abiding
• continuing
• deep-rooted
• durable
• eternal
• everlasting
• indelible
• lifelong
• permanent
• stable