decade

[dek-eyd, 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

Other Word Forms

• half-decade noun
• decadal adjective

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