decade

American  

[dek-eyd, duh-keyd] / ˈdɛk eɪd, dəˈkeɪd /

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.

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decade British  

/ dɪˈkeɪd, ˈdɛkeɪd /

noun

1. a period of ten consecutive years

2. a group or series of ten

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Other Word Forms

• decadal adjective
• half-decade noun

Etymology

Origin of decade

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

Example Sentences

It’s got one of the most hypnotic grooves heard on pop radio in the last decade!

From Los Angeles Times

Nearly a decade ago, in 2017, she earned a place on the BBC's 100 Women list with her work promoting women's rights.

From BBC

"These are people that have families that have contributed to this country for decades. Little children, there's hundreds of children in detention centres. It's inhumane."

From BBC

After a lifetime of clashes with successive powers in Africa's most populous country, Fela was recognised nearly three decades after his death and long after his influence reshaped global music.

From Barron's

They are chasing a first WSL trophy in a decade but Jeglertz could only laugh when asked if they had one hand on it already.

From BBC